Performance of a Borehole XRF Spectrometer for Planetary ExplorationWe have designed and constructed a borehole XRF Spectrometer (XRFS) as part of the Mars Subsurface Access program. It will be used to determine the composition of the Mars regolith at various depths by insertion into a pre-drilled borehole. The primary performance metrics for the instrument are the lower limits of detection over a wide range of the periodic table. Power consumption during data collection was also measured. The prototype instrument is complete and preliminary testing has been performed. Terrestrial soil Standard Reference Materials were used as the test samples. Detection limits were about 10 weight parts-per-million for most elements, with light elements being higher, up to 1.4 weight percent for magnesium. Power consumption (excluding ground support components) was 12 watts.
Document ID
20070030312
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kelliher, Warren C. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Carlberg, Ingrid A. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Elam, W. T. (Washington Univ. Seattle, WA, United States)
WIllard-Schmoe, Ella (Washington Univ. Seattle, WA, United States)