Abstract: This paper discusses the principles and performance features of ultrasonic drills developed by different institutes both at home and abroad respectively, and analyzes the improvement process of the operation mode of current ultrasonic drills by focusing on the optimization of the drilling process. It proves that the ultrasonic drills can serve as a drilling platform with outstanding advantages and engineering realization in the future sampling task of extraterrestrial objects due to its relative maturity in theoretical and experimental study; and the light weight and compact rotary percussive drill has broader application prospects. Besides, this paper also summarizes the piezoelectric transducer model and the integrated model of ultrasonic drills, points out the applicable conditions as well as merits and demerits of various models, and provides design advice for the drive power of ultrasonic drills. According to the mission characteristics of deep space exploration, the preliminary research results of the ultrasonic drills are discussed. Finally, the future prospect for the research and application of the ultrasonic drills is also provided.

Key words: Extraterrestrial objects, Ultrasonic drills; Integrated model, Drive power, Sampling and in situ detection