Mass Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration

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MASPEX
mass spectrometer
Functionchemical analyzer
Mission durationCruise: 3-6 years
Science phase: ≥ 3 years
Properties
Mass8 kg
Dimensions40 cm
Resolution1 ppt
Host spacecraft
SpacecraftEuropa Clipper
OperatorNASA
Launch date≈ 2025 [1]
RocketSLS
Launch siteKennedy Space Center

The MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX) is a

mass spectrometer capable of high-resolution and high-sensitivity that allows the determination of a wide variety of chemical compounds in complex mixtures. This instrument will fly on board the planned Europa Clipper orbiter to explore Jupiter's moon Europa. This astrobiology mission will analyse the composition of Europa's surface while in orbit, and will directly assess its internal ocean habitability
by flying through Europa's tenuous atmosphere.

On 27 May 2016 it was announced that MASPEX was selected to fly on the mission.

main belt comet Read (Proteus).[3] It also has applications for probes, landers, and sample return missions. The original Principal Investigator was Jack Waite, and the Technical Lead is Tim Brockwell, from the Southwest Research Institute
. In 2020 NASA announced that Jim Burch of Southwest Research Institute would become the Principal Investigator and that some instrument capabilities might be reduced due to technical and financial limitations.

Overview

MASPEX is a next generation spectrometer with significantly improved performance over existing instruments,

isotopes of methane, water, ammonia, carbon monoxide, molecular nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO
2), and small organic compounds (C2, C3, and C4) in complex mixtures.[3][4] MASPEX can also measure compounds in trace amounts (ppt), including the noble gases argon, krypton, xenon, and their isotopes.[3][4]

The MASPEX can operate in a heavy radiation environment, and can be baked to 300 °C for planetary protection against forward biological contamination in case the probe impacts any potentially habitable moon of Jupiter.[4] MASPEX can observe spatial features as small as 400 km of orbital track at high scan rates, and can operate at 5 kHz across full mass range.[4] Other areas of enhanced performance over existing instruments include:[4]

Parameter Performance
Extended mass range
for heavy organic molecules		 >1000
amu
Enhanced mass resolution >30,000 M/dM
Enhanced dynamic range 109 in a 1s period
Improved sensitivity better than 1ppt with cryotrapping
High throughput >5000 samples/s
Length and mass 40 cm and < 8 kg

See also

References

  1. ^ Europa Clipper passes key review. Jeff Foust, Space News. 22 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Two Southwest Research Institute instruments selected for NASA Europa mission". SWRI. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
  3. ^
    doi:10.1109/AERO.2016.7500777
    ; Publisher: IEEE, Conference Location: Big Sky, MT, USA; 5–12 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX).pptx The MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX)[dead link] (Power Point); Mark Libardoni, et al. 10th International Planetary Probe Workshop; San Jose, CA. June 2013.
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