REGOLITH SAMPLING APPARATUS AND ARM

There is disclosed a regolith sampling apparatus. The regolith sampling apparatus comprises: a generally cylindrical outer housing extending about a longitudinal axis comprising upper, intermediate and lower housings; an inner housing received in said outer lower housing and comprising a circumferential wall defining a void therein; a piston member comprising a shaft and a piston head disposed in the inner housing; a flap support member translatable along on a first threaded rod upon rotation thereof; an upper platform rotatably isolated and supported in the upper outer housing at a fixed height therein; a lower platform fixedly attached to the circumferential wall of the inner housing and outer housing; and at least one position detecting sensor disposed in the upper housing positioned proximate to either a predetermined extremity of travel of the at least one or more of the second threaded rod for detection of translation thereof, or the flap support member.