Title :
Pioneer Venus Orbiter Neutral Gas Mass Spectrometer Experiment
Author :
Niemann, Hasso B. ; Booth, J.R. ; Cooley, J.E. ; Hartle, R.E. ; Kasprzak, W.T. ; Spencer, N.W. ; Way, S.H. ; Hunten, D.M. ; Carignan, G.R.
Author_Institution :
Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Abstract :
The Pioneer Venus Orbiter Neutral Mass Spectrometer (ONMS) is designed to measure the vertical and horizontal density variations of the major neutral constituents in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The mass spectrometer sensor includes a retarding potential ion source, hyperbolic quadrupole rod analyzer, and electron multiplier detector. The supporting electronic system consists of hybrid integrated circuits to reduce weight and power. The ONMS instrument was launched aboard the Pioneer Venus Orbiter on May 20, 1978, and turned on in orbit around Venus on December 4, 1978. It has operated flawlessly for over a Venus year (243 earth days) and has returned data of the composition of the major constituents in the Venus atmosphere between the altitudes of 150 and 350 km.
Keywords :
Atmosphere; Atmospheric measurements; Density measurement; Detectors; Electron multipliers; Extraterrestrial measurements; Integrated circuit measurements; Ion sources; Mass spectroscopy; Venus;
Journal_Title :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TGRS.1980.350282
