DocumentCode :
1557898
Title :
Trends in instrument systems for deep space exploration
Author :
Dorsky, Leonard I.
Author_Institution :
Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA
Volume :
16
Issue :
12
fYear :
2001
fDate :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Firstpage :
3
Lastpage :
12
Abstract :
In recent years there have been an increasing number of space science instruments that are being designed as integral elements in integrated instrument suites as opposed to stand-alone instruments. In fact, some instruments are becoming closely integrated with the mobility systems that carry them to their science targets. This higher level of integration has been motivated by both resource limitations and by an increased focus in science investigations. The reduced size and budget available for individual space science missions combined with the increased complexity of these missions, has encouraged instrument developers to greater integration to reduce mass, volume, and power needs. In parallel, NASA has shifted focus from flyby and planetary orbiting missions, which primarily included remote-sensing instruments, to various types of landed vehicles, which include primarily; in-situ instruments. Initial studies of the planets on planetary scales have moved to more detailed ground truth studies on planetary surfaces. The science goals have shifted to focus on specific questions, in the case of Mars, understanding the history of water and the possibilities for life on the planet. This increased science focus has, in turn, created the need for integrated science suites that can address these questions in ways that stand-alone instruments cannot. This paper discusses a number of NASA instrument suites, ranging from those currently operating in space to those that are in early study phases. The focus of the discussion is on the trends, including the shift to greater integration, the concomitant challenges that must be overcome to achieve this integration and the benefits that can ensue. This is not intended to be a comprehensive examination of new instrument suites (that would be a much longer paper) rather, the example NASA instrument suites discussed were selected, from those that the author had some familiarity with, to include suites representative of the trends in instrument systems for deep space exploration
Keywords :
aerospace instrumentation; astronomical instruments; image sensors; infrared spectrometers; planetary rovers; remote sensing; space research; space vehicles; time of flight mass spectrometers; CCD sensor; Cassini spacecraft; FPA; IR spectrometer; Mars Polar Lander; Mars environmental compatibility assessment instrument; Mars exploration rover; NASA instrument suites; active pixel sensor; deep space exploration; in-situ instruments; instrument system trends; integrated instrument suites; landed vehicles; miniature integrated camera spectrometer; plasma experiment for planetary exploration; remote sensing instruments; resource limitations; space science instruments; subsurface explorer vehicle; time-of-flight mass spectrograph; History; Instruments; Mars; NASA; Planetary orbits; Planets; Remote sensing; Space exploration; Space missions; Vehicles;
fLanguage :
English
Journal_Title :
Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE
Publisher :
ieee
ISSN :
0885-8985
Type :
jour
DOI :
10.1109/62.974833
Filename :
974833
Link To Document :
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