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ASPOC & PICAM

ASPOC & PICAM. Main task Development of hard- and software for flight instruments Main research topics Magnetospheric MultiScale Development of the Active Spacecraft Potential Control (ASPOC) PI-ship (R. Nakamura) BepiColombo Development of the Planetary Ion CAMera (PICAM)

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ASPOC & PICAM

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  1. ASPOC & PICAM Main task • Development of hard- and software for flight instruments Main research topics • MagnetosphericMultiScale • Development of the Active Spacecraft Potential Control (ASPOC) • PI-ship (R. Nakamura) • BepiColombo • Development of the Planetary Ion CAMera (PICAM) • Sensor PI-ship (H. Lichtenegger) MMS stacked for vibration test IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  2. Who are we? Lead: HaraldJeszenszky & Gunter Laky Members • Staff: G. Fremuth, F. Giner, C. Kürbisch, M. Leichtfried, G. Prattes, R. Wallner • Cooperation within IWF • Magnetotail Physics (Nakamura et al.): MMS mission planning • SW-Atmosphere (Lammer et al.): BepiColombo mission planning • Space magnetometers (Magnes et al.): Magnetic cleanliness, parts • Exchange of know-how with all instrument developers Key external collaboration • Italy: IAPS; Germany: MPS; France: LATMOS-SA; Hungary: Wigner RCP RMKI; Ireland: University of Ireland at Maynooth; Austria: FOTEC;USA: Southwest Research Institute IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  3. ASPOC: Active S/C Potential Control Operating principle • Caused by the equilibrium of various charging currents on a body embedded in plasma, the S/C gets positively charged and severely disturbs measurements of the plasma environment. • ASPOC emits a beam of positive indium ions at variable currents, keeping the S/C potential <+4 V. This ensures effective and complete acquisition of the ambient plasma distribution functions. Instrument components • Electronics box (DPU, DC- and HV-converter board) • Two emitter modules, each containing 2 emitters • External harness between box and modules (LV, HV) • A system of dry nitrogen purge lines • Ion emitter consists of emitter capillary, indium reservoir and a heater element Emitter module cross-section IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  4. ASPOC for Magnetospheric Multiscale • Spacecraft potential is controlled by two ASPOC instruments (~6 keV, ~10-50 µA), pointing in antiparallel directions for achieving maximum possible symmetry • Supports high-quality plasma and field measurements in NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission • 4 satellites are operating in close formation • Group leads investigation, designed DPU board and S/W, integrated and tested9 Flight Models (8 FM’s delivered to NASA, spare FM kept for reference measurements) • Challenges: Simultaneous manufacture, test and operation in Europe and the US • Torkar et al., 2014, Active S/C Potential Control Investigation, Space Science Reviews, 10.1007/s11214-014-0049-3 Geometry of the ion beams ASPOC instrument IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  5. PICAM: Planetary Ion Camera Concept • All-sky camera for ions in Mercury's exo-ionosphere • 3D velocity distribution and mass spectrum for ions over a full 2π FOV, up to ~3 keV energies and in a mass range extending up to ~132 amu Key elements • Ellipsoidal electrostatic mirror M1 for focusing charged particles • Toroidal electrostatic analyzer for the energy selection by pass-band • Gate electrodes for providing start time for the time of flight (TOF) • Multi channel plate for detecting the ion impact as to both TOF and imaging Schematics of the ion optics IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  6. PICAM for Bepi Colombo PICAM is part of the SERENA suite of four sensors. Joint development with contributions from • France (detector, ion optics) • Germany (high voltage control, gate driver) • Hungary (DC converter) • Ireland (electronic box) IWF leads the investigation and is responsible for • digital processing unit and ion optics • flight software and EGSE • mechanical and electrical integration • functional testing and environmental testing • performance calibration PICAM flight model DPU flight board IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  7. PICAM: Integration and Testing Mechanical and electrical integration • Demanding requirements as to mechanical fitting accuracy, harness routing, general handling and cleanliness Functional and performance testing • Operational parameters for electrodes as crucial point for the overall performance Test facilities • High variance as to beam elevation (~90°), beam azimuth (~20°), unit rotation (~360°) and input parameters (electrode voltages) as challenge for the ion gun test facility PICAM sensor cross section Current measurements IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  8. Future Plans: 2015-18 • MMS ASPOC • Ground testing, operations planning until launch in March 2015 • In-orbit commissioning, followed by routine operations of 8 instruments • Science data analysis (Nakamura et al.) BepiColombo PICAM • Delivery of PICAM FM by the end of 2014 • Refurbishment of PICAM QM as flight spare • Support of tests on observatory level • Performance testing and verification of PICAM flight spare including performance modelling • Support of the overall planning on mission level and SERENA level PICAM QM on MPO IWF/ÖAW GRAZ

  9. Thank you IWF/ÖAW

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