The mass spectrometer for planetary exploration (MASPEX)

Abstract

The MASPEX instrument is a high-resolution, high-sensitivity time-of-flight mass spectrometer developed for planetary applications. Its high-resolution (25,000 mMm at 10% peak height) allows the unambiguous determination of volatile isotopes of methane, water, ammonia, carbon monoxide, molecular nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and low order (C2, C3, and C4) organic compounds in complex mixtures. The use of cryotrapping boosts MASPEX's sensitivity by up to 10,000 times the ambient performance enabling the measurement of trace compounds including organic compounds and the noble gases argon, krypton, xenon, and their isotopes. Such capabilities are ideal for the study of astrobiology and solar system formation in a diverse range of planetary objects including asteroids, comets, and icy satellites. A highly sensitive electron impact ionization source (>105 ions per extracted ion packet) operating at 2000 extractions per second in conjunction with the time-of-flight mass analyzer, which produces a complete mass spectrum from every ion extraction, enables the rapid acquisition of high precision measurements over a wide range of mass. This is particularly important for applications such as atmospheric probes that have a limited operating period and also for providing high temporal/spatial resolution for flyby or orbital missions. Over ten years of development funded by Southwest Research Institute and NASA have resulted in a Technology Readiness Level of 6 suitable for applications to Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship missions. Several promising applications will be discussed in this presentation including the recent selection of MASPEX for the Europa mission payload, and applications to three Discovery 2015 proposals including a mission to Enceladus (ELF), comet Hartley 2 (PRIME), and to the main belt comet Read (Proteus). Other new applications to be discussed include upcoming New Frontiers opportunities for probes, landers, and sample return missions.