Unmanned Unattended Mineral Exploration Drilling and Sample Return System

A system for conducting unmanned and unattended drilling operations comprising:

• An unmanned and unattended launch and landing vehicle capable of navigating to a predetermined location;
• and
• An automated drilling platform capable of conducting automated drilling operations, the automated drilling platform detachably coupled to the launch and landing vehicle.

The system of claim 1 where the drilling operations further comprise collecting core samples.

The system of claim 1 where the automated drilling platform further comprises a rigid mast, a mast head coupled to the rigid mast, and a bit coupled to the mast head.

The system of claim 3 where the rigid mast is further comprised of pipe sections capable of collecting core samples during drilling.

The system of claim 1 where the landing and launch vehicle is a rocket further comprising a circumferential aspect.

The system of claim 1 where the landing and launch vehicle further comprises storage capable of holding collected core samples

The system of claim 5 wherein the storage is a rack around the circumferential aspect of the rocket.

The system of claim 1 where system further comprises a dirigible coupled to the launch and landing vehicle, the dirigible capable of lifting the launch and landing vehicle, while the vehicle is loaded with core samples and carrying the vehicle to an accessible location.

A method of drilling comprising the steps of deploying an unmanned and unattended launch vehicle capable of navigating to a predetermined location, allowing the launch vehicle to land at the predetermined location, and allowing the unmanned and unattended vehicle to conduct drilling operations.