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The measurement of chemically reactive atmospheric constituents by mass spectrometers carried on high‐speed spacecraft
Author(s) -
Nier A. O.,
Potter W. E.,
Kayser D. C.,
Finstad R. G.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl001i005p00197
Subject(s) - spacecraft , atmosphere (unit) , spectrometer , astrobiology , mass spectrometry , satellite , environmental science , physics , aerospace engineering , remote sensing , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , optics , astronomy , geology , quantum mechanics , engineering
The quasi‐open‐source mass spectrometer carried on the Atmosphere Explorer‐C satellite has a mode of operation which utilizes the velocity of the vehicle (∼ 8.5 km/sec near perigee) to distinguish between incoming ambient particles and ambient particles which have struck instrument surfaces and become accommodated. Utilization of this mode has made possible the simultaneous measurement of atomic and molecular ambient oxygen without the ambiguity which usually arises due to surface reactions in the instrument. The method appears promising as a means for analyzing planetary atmospheres or the gas surrounding comets.