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Rarefied gas dynamic effects on mass spectrometric studies of upper planetary atmospheres

1975; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Volume: 13; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2514/3.7040

1533-385X

John B. French, Nancy Reid, A. O. Nier, J. L. Hayden,

Spectroscopy and Laser Applications

Results are presented of measurements obtained with an open-source mass spectrometer both in earth orbit and in a laboratory molecular beam facility. The mass spectrometer/ion source combination was developed in the laboratory to be operable in either of two modes by altering ion extraction potential on ground command, i.e., as a stagnation cavity or to respond only to the incoming molecules of the unperturbed atmosphere. Results indicate that the use of this open-source configuration and dual-mode capability, allied with both standard static calibration and dynamic calibration using high-speed molecular beam techniques in the laboratory, allows collection of useful data on aeronomy of the upper atmosphere of planets and comet tails.