That sounds about like every DIY repair around the house I attempt.
Joking aside, the article goes on to say that "NASA is now making new screwdrivers" to gain access. Does anyone have details on this? Why would NASA need to build something new?
> The screwdrivers that NASA is building to free the remaining rocks and dust will need to be made from materials that won’t contaminate the samples, which are currently inside a nitrogen-filled glovebox.
I'm not sure why the screwdrivers that opened the other screws wouldn't work though, if that's what you're asking.
They have to be qualified for use inside the glove box (read this in a different article), which I assume means sterile and unlikely to flake any material off. NASA is quite worried about being faked out by detecting something added post collection.
Also who knows what the failure mode is, so here is some speculation: Perhaps some distortion in the case, so the screw holes are no longer circular? In which case the tool has to apply more torque than normal (without flaking or snapping) and maybe have a special clamp, and even a strain gauge for measuring torque?
Yes, as well as being nonreactive, not able to outgas much, etc. They're going to do minute chemical analysis on the samples, so avoiding chemical contamination is essential.
That way we could cross-check for tool/storage-based contamination or accidental reactions.