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Mass spectrometer use in a large chamberThe early satellites were somewhat insensitive to contamination produced during the construction and testing phases. The On-Orbit lifetime was such that contamination effects went either unnoticed or unrecognized. With today's On-Orbit lifetimes approaching 10+ years, contamination has become a paramount concern. The scientific payloads have increased in complexity and sensitivity. The ability to clean a contaminated sensor has greatly diminished. This requires better pumping systems and methods for improved monitoring. The conversion from diffusion pumped thermal vacuum chambers to cryo pumped chambers with the use of Misner traps and selective cold traps has reduced contamination. Witness samples supply a record of the condensates that remain after a testing cycle, but impart no knowledge of the contaminant migration during the cycle that may be a month in duration. Due to a customer's request that mass spectrometry be used during the testing of their spacecraft, a consultant was contracted to install a mass spectrometer to determine the feasibility of the instrument. The equipment and methodology described will start with the original system and its evolution to GE's present system.
Document ID
19930006430
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chuvala, Tom
(General Electric Co. Princeton, NJ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center, The Seventeenth Space Simulation Conference. Terrestrial Test for Space Success
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Accession Number
93N15619
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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