Hemmerich, P. | Search NASA

NASA NTRS1987

The ion mass spectrometer on Giotto

The design of the Giotto ion mass spectrometer (IMS) system, its calibration, and the initial flight performance are discussed. The IMS system consists of two sensors: one optimized for the outer coma, the other for the inner coma, with each sensor obtaining complementary information in the region for which it was not optimized. Both sensors feature mass-imaging characteristics, permitting simultaneous measurements of several ion species by means of multi-detector arrays, with resultant mass per charge resolution of not less than 20. In addition to mass per charge, the energy per charge and the elevation and azimuth of the incident ions were measured during the Giotto flight.

Balsiger, H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

ISEE-1 and ISEE-2 fast plasma experiment and the ISEE-1 solar wind experiment

Identical fast plasma experiment (FPE) systems were placed on the ISEE-1 and ISEE-2 spacecraft. The FPE consists of three high efficiency 90 deg spherical section electrostatic analyzers using large secondary emitters and discrete dynode multipliers to detect analyzed particles. Two of them, viewing in opposite directions, produce complete 2D velocity distribution measurements of both protons and electrons every spacecraft revolution. A third FPE analyzer with a divided emitter measures 3D distributions at a slower rate. ISEE-1 also carries a solar-wind experiment (SWE) to measure solar-wind ions with high resolution. The SWE is composed of two 150 deg spherical section analyzers using the same set of plates. The two acceptance fans are tilted with respect to each other so that 3D characteristics of the ion distributions can be derived.

Bame, S. J.↗