ROOM
23
Special Report
known as an ion-trap mass spectrometer
contained in a small (60 cm diameter) probe that
skims through the atmosphere. After acquisition,
the gas sample is analysed to generate estimates
of noble gas concentrations. The results are
returned to Earth via a communications relay
routed through the carrier spacecraft, similar to
the architecture developed for MarCO.
The current design of the probe and
its companion carrier spacecraft both
make extensive use of cubesat spacecraft
components and their combined mass adds up
to less than 55 kg.
Another high-priority science objective
for planetary scientists is to improve our
understanding of the dynamics of Venus’
atmosphere. Prof Valeria Cottini from the
University of Maryland, College Park, was
recently funded to address this under a NASA
grant to study the CubeSat UV Experiment
(CUVE), a 12U CubeSat orbiter concept
that measures ultraviolet absorption and
nightglow emissions.
Cubesats being
deployed from the Europa
Clipper mission.
NASA/JPL
Venus atmospheric
sampling probe skims
through the atmosphere
to sample noble gases at
less than 120 km altitude.
