Session
Weekday Session 3: Science/Mission Payloads
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
We present the design, development, and testing of four novel, compact, high-precision Time-Of-Flight (TOF) Mass Spectrometers (MS) for integration with the next generation of space flight platforms. These MS instruments are capable of sampling both ions and neutral elements and are designed to integrate with a variety of space flight vehicles, including sounding rockets and small satellites (ESPA & 12U CubeSats or larger). One of the four flight instruments has been prototyped as a sounding rocket payload with a SWAP of approximately ~8 kg, and ~15 W using a 12-bit 3.2Gs/s analog-to-digital converter data acquisition system (With a Time to Digital Converter (TDC), 10-15 W possible), and a size of ~61 x 27 x 9 centimeters (volume: ~14800 cm3). The TOF-MS instrument has a demonstrated resolving power at full width, half maximum (FwHM) of better than 3500 (modeling predicts 5000), and a mass capability of 2u to 1500u. This instrument has undergone relevant laboratory testing and TRL advancement and will be demonstrated at the Neutral Beam facilities in Berne, Switzerland. The TOF-MS analyzer incorporates two separate ion sources. For neutrals, an improved three-stage Wiley-McLaren electron ionization source (EI) with a space charge trapping capacity at low gas densities. For ions, a Bradbury-Nielson (BN) comb shutter is used. Both sources are axially aligned with common focusing elements, and the measurement of ions and neutrals can be interleaved or measured independently. The mass analyzer consists of a field-free drift region, two electrostatic, two-stage ion reflectrons (ion mirrors), and a microchannel plate detector (MCP). To improve the mass resolution, while maintaining a small form factor, the ion path is folded into a W-configuration using a triple reflection principle between two electrostatic ion mirrors. This style of MS design offers several advantages, including Full spectrum sampling (~100 kHz), Fellget's multiplex advantage, high precision isotope sampling, nearly unlimited mass range depending on input voltage, and a relatively low noise floor. This TOF-MS will serve as a compact, high-precision instrument for the next generation of advanced space missions, including atmospheric sounding, VLEO satellites, and in-situ chemistry sampling of asteroids or planetary bodies.
A Compact High-Resolution Ion & Neutral Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer for Advanced Space Applications
Utah State University, Logan, UT
We present the design, development, and testing of four novel, compact, high-precision Time-Of-Flight (TOF) Mass Spectrometers (MS) for integration with the next generation of space flight platforms. These MS instruments are capable of sampling both ions and neutral elements and are designed to integrate with a variety of space flight vehicles, including sounding rockets and small satellites (ESPA & 12U CubeSats or larger). One of the four flight instruments has been prototyped as a sounding rocket payload with a SWAP of approximately ~8 kg, and ~15 W using a 12-bit 3.2Gs/s analog-to-digital converter data acquisition system (With a Time to Digital Converter (TDC), 10-15 W possible), and a size of ~61 x 27 x 9 centimeters (volume: ~14800 cm3). The TOF-MS instrument has a demonstrated resolving power at full width, half maximum (FwHM) of better than 3500 (modeling predicts 5000), and a mass capability of 2u to 1500u. This instrument has undergone relevant laboratory testing and TRL advancement and will be demonstrated at the Neutral Beam facilities in Berne, Switzerland. The TOF-MS analyzer incorporates two separate ion sources. For neutrals, an improved three-stage Wiley-McLaren electron ionization source (EI) with a space charge trapping capacity at low gas densities. For ions, a Bradbury-Nielson (BN) comb shutter is used. Both sources are axially aligned with common focusing elements, and the measurement of ions and neutrals can be interleaved or measured independently. The mass analyzer consists of a field-free drift region, two electrostatic, two-stage ion reflectrons (ion mirrors), and a microchannel plate detector (MCP). To improve the mass resolution, while maintaining a small form factor, the ion path is folded into a W-configuration using a triple reflection principle between two electrostatic ion mirrors. This style of MS design offers several advantages, including Full spectrum sampling (~100 kHz), Fellget's multiplex advantage, high precision isotope sampling, nearly unlimited mass range depending on input voltage, and a relatively low noise floor. This TOF-MS will serve as a compact, high-precision instrument for the next generation of advanced space missions, including atmospheric sounding, VLEO satellites, and in-situ chemistry sampling of asteroids or planetary bodies.
