A portable hypergolic oxidizer vapor sensor for NASA's Space Shuttle program

Abstract

The design and performance characteristics of an electrochemical NO2 sensor selected by NASA for the space shuttle program is described. The instrument consists of a sample pump, an electrochemical cell, and control and display electronics. The pump pushes the sample through the electrochemical cell where the vapors are analyzed and an output proportional to the NO2 concentration is produced. The output is displayed on a panel meter, and is also available at a recorder jack. The electrochemical cell is made up of a polypropylene chamber covered with teflon membrane faceplates. Plantinum electrodes are bonded to the faceplates, and the sensing and counter electrodes are potentiostatically controlled at -200 mV with respect to the reference electrode. The cell is filled with electrolyte, consisting of 13.5 cc of 23% solution of KOH.