A neutral gas mass spectrometer to measure the chemical composition of the stratosphere

Details A neutral gas mass spectrometer to measure the chemical composition of the stratosphere A neutral gas mass spectrometer to measure the chemical composition of the stratosphere

Oct 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009adspr..44..870a&link_type=abstract

Advances in Space Research, Volume 44, Issue 7, p. 870-878.

Computer Science

1

Scientific paper

The Polar Balloon Atmospheric Composition Experiment (P-BACE) is a new generation of neutral gas mass spectrometer based on the time-of-flight principle. P-BACE is the scientific experiment on the Mars Environment Analog Platform (MEAP) flown successfully on a balloon mission in summer 2008. The MEAP mission was flown with a 334,000 m3 helium balloon in the stratosphere on a semicircular trajectory from northern Sweden around the North Pole to Canada using the summer northern hemispheric wind current. The atmospheric conditions at an atmospheric altitude of 35-40 km are remarkably similar to those on the surface of Mars and thus the balloon mission was an ideal testbed for our mass spectrometer P-BACE. Originally this instrument was designed for in situ measurements of the chemical composition of the Martian atmosphere. P-BACE has a unique mass range from 0 to 1000 amu/q with a mass resolution m/Δm (FWHM) > 1000, and the dynamic range is at least six orders of magnitude. During this experiment, the acquisition of one mass spectrum is a sum of 65,535 single spectra, recorded in a time frame of 66 s. The balloon mission lasted 5 days and had successfully demonstrated the functionality of the P-BACE instrument during flight conditions. We had recorded more than 4500 mass spectra. With little modifications, P-BACE can be used on a planetary mission for Mars, but for example also for Venus or Mercury, if placed on a satellite.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A neutral gas mass spectrometer to measure the chemical composition of the stratosphere does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A neutral gas mass spectrometer to measure the chemical composition of the stratosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A neutral gas mass spectrometer to measure the chemical composition of the stratosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-805010