Ground Calibration of the Mass Spectrometer and Total Pressure Sensor in the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) 941473
The absolute measurement of low-density gases, especially water, is of interest to space experiments. Water measurements have been advanced by the development of a primary standard for low-density water vapor. This standard, which uses arrays of laser-drilled holes as a Knudsen-effusion water source, was used to calibrate and characterize the performance of several vacuum instruments, including transfer standards used to calibrate the MSX flight mass spectrometer. This mass spectrometer and a total pressure sensor will be used to measure the absolute densities of molecules outgassing from the spacecraft during orbit as well as gases present in the ambient atmosphere. Results for the performance of these two flight instruments over a large range of partial pressures of H2O, H2, He, N2, O2 and Ar are presented, as well as test results for the reference standards.
Citation: Uy, O., Benson, R., Boies, M., Kinnison, J. et al., "Ground Calibration of the Mass Spectrometer and Total Pressure Sensor in the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX)," SAE Technical Paper 941473, 1994, https://doi.org/10.4271/941473. Download Citation
Author(s):
O. Manuel Uy, Richard C. Benson, Mark T. Boies, James D. Kinnison, John S. Morgan, Stuart A. Tison, Albert R. Filippelli, Charles R. Tilford
Affiliated:
Johns Hopkins Univ., National Institute of Standards and Technology
Pages: 10
Event:
International Conference On Environmental Systems
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Also in:
SAE 1994 Transactions: Journal of Aerospace-V103-1
Related Topics:
Water
Pressure
Vacuum
Calibration
Spacecraft
Gases
Sensors and actuators
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