11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
[PCG18-P02] Development of on-site mass spectrometry technology for future solar system exploration
Keywords:Mass spectrometry, Solar system exploration, Isotope
The exploration of the solar system by spacecraft is expected to increase in the future, and on-site mass spectrometry using onboard instruments will play as important a role in science goals as laboratory measurements. The compositional and isotopic information obtained by mass spectrometry can be used to determine the age and origin of materials and to estimate the amount of loss of planetary atmosphere to date, which constrain the models of solar system formation and the evolution of planetary atmosphere and water in solar system science research. Therefore, it is required to prepare mass spectrometers onboard spacecraft, development of several types of spaceborne mass spectrometers is being carried out in parallel according to various observation targets, such as surface materials of bodies by landers and surrounding materials (atmosphere, exosphere, ionosphere) by orbiters (including flyby observation).
Since the scale of spacecraft itself and its observation projects varies, we are developing two types of mass spectrometers: a high-end version that aims for higher performance, and a low-resource version that is lightweight and compact with moderate performance. The high-end version is mainly intended for use in flagship exploration programs, while the low-resource version is intended to quickly respond to small and/or international cooperation programs for comprehensive exploration of the solar system.
For the measurement of ions flying through space in a wide energy range, we are developing an analyzer with a mass resolution of M/dM>100 based on the experience of developing mass analyzers for space plasmas missions such as the KAGUYA, BepiColombo/MIO, and Arase projects, which will be used in the Mars moons exploration (MMX) project. In addition, we are developing a low-resource version of the analyzer for the Comet Interceptor project, which has a performance of M/dM>30 regardless of the size of 1-2U for a micro spacecraft.
On the other hand, we are developing a reflectron-type mass spectrometer for the LUPEX mission as an instrument on the lander to analyze surface materials. As a high-end version, we are also developing a multi-turn mass spectrometer with the highest performance for spacecraft, which has a mass resolution of M/dM>10,000 and an isotope measurement accuracy of (delta)<10%. We have already conducted performance tests using breadboard model, and have established each elemental technology, and are now considering future plans such as Mars Ice Mapper.
Here, we report the development status of various mass spectrometers we are now developing for applications onboard spacecraft.
Since the scale of spacecraft itself and its observation projects varies, we are developing two types of mass spectrometers: a high-end version that aims for higher performance, and a low-resource version that is lightweight and compact with moderate performance. The high-end version is mainly intended for use in flagship exploration programs, while the low-resource version is intended to quickly respond to small and/or international cooperation programs for comprehensive exploration of the solar system.
For the measurement of ions flying through space in a wide energy range, we are developing an analyzer with a mass resolution of M/dM>100 based on the experience of developing mass analyzers for space plasmas missions such as the KAGUYA, BepiColombo/MIO, and Arase projects, which will be used in the Mars moons exploration (MMX) project. In addition, we are developing a low-resource version of the analyzer for the Comet Interceptor project, which has a performance of M/dM>30 regardless of the size of 1-2U for a micro spacecraft.
On the other hand, we are developing a reflectron-type mass spectrometer for the LUPEX mission as an instrument on the lander to analyze surface materials. As a high-end version, we are also developing a multi-turn mass spectrometer with the highest performance for spacecraft, which has a mass resolution of M/dM>10,000 and an isotope measurement accuracy of (delta)<10%. We have already conducted performance tests using breadboard model, and have established each elemental technology, and are now considering future plans such as Mars Ice Mapper.
Here, we report the development status of various mass spectrometers we are now developing for applications onboard spacecraft.