Planetary atmospheres with mass spectrometers carried on high-speed probes or satellitesEarth satellite-borne mass spectrometers are considered, taking into account the identification of atomic oxygen in the thermosphere with an 'open' source mass spectrometer flown on a sounding rocket, the conventional closed-source instrument, the mass spectrometers on the Atmosphere Explorer satellites, and mass spectrometer electron multiplier output. A description is presented of mass spectrometers and planetary entry probes. Attention is given to an attempt to obtain an atmospheric composition profile with a terrestrial entry probe, the descending trajectory in the early orbits of the Atmosphere Explorer C satellite, and the molecular nitrogen densities for the descending legs of the orbits. It is pointed out that chemical reactions on the surfaces of the mass spectrometer make the measurement of reactive atmospheric species such as atomic oxygen very difficult.
Document ID
19770053666
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Nier, A. O. (Minnesota, University Minneapolis, Minn., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1977
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Rarefied gas dynamics