Adaptive thrust sensor drilling

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for performing a drilling operation. The drilling apparatus comprises a housing (302), a spindle (304), a spindle motor (308), a thrust motor (306), a load sensor (310), and a controller (312). The spindle may be capable of receiving a drill bit. The spindle motor may be capable of turning the spindle at a set of different speeds during the drilling operation. The thrust motor may be capable of moving the spindle in an axial direction. The load sensor may be capable of detecting a reaction thrust force during the drilling operation to form a detected reaction thrust force. The controller may be capable of controlling the spindle motor and the thrust motor to change a drilling speed in response to changes in the detected reaction thrust force.