MASPEX-Europa: The Europa Clipper Neutral Gas Mass Spectrometer Investigation

The MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX) is a high-mass-resolution, high-sensitivity, multi-bounce time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MBTOF) capable of measuring minor species with abundances of sub-parts-per-million in Europa’s sputter-produced and radiolytically modified exosphere a...

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Published in:Space science reviews 2024-04, Vol.220 (3), p.30, Article 30
Main Authors: Waite, J. H., Burch, J. L., Brockwell, T. G., Young, D. T., Miller, G. P., Persyn, S. C., Stone, J. M., Wilson, P., Miller, K. E., Glein, C. R., Perryman, R. S., McGrath, M. A., Bolton, S. J., McKinnon, W. B., Mousis, O., Sephton, M. A., Shock, E. L., Choukroun, M., Teolis, B. D., Wyrick, D. Y., Zolotov, M. Y., Ray, C., Magoncelli, A. L., Raffanti, R. R., Thorpe, R. L., Bouquet, A., Salter, T. L., Robinson, K. J., Urdiales, C., Tyler, Y. D., Dirks, G. J., Beebe, C. R., Fugett, D. A., Alexander, J. A., Hanley, J. J., Moorhead-Rosenberg, Z. A., Franke, K. A., Pickens, K. S., Focia, R. J., Magee, B. A., Hoeper, P. J., Aaron, D. P., Thompson, S. L., Persson, K. B., Blase, R. C., Dunn, G. F., Killough, R. L., De Los Santos, A., Rickerson, R. J., Siegmund, O. H. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace Technology and Astronautics
Astrophysics and Astroparticles
Calibration
Chemical reactions
Composition
Energy
Energy sources
Equilibrium
Europa
Exosphere
Gases
Habitability
In situ measurement
Magnetic fields
Mass spectrometers
Mass spectrometry
Metabolism
Neutral gases
Organic compounds
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Planetology
Plumes
Scientific imaging
Sensitivity
Space exploration
Space Exploration and Astronautics
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics
Water
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Summary:The MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX) is a high-mass-resolution, high-sensitivity, multi-bounce time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MBTOF) capable of measuring minor species with abundances of sub-parts-per-million in Europa’s sputter-produced and radiolytically modified exosphere and in its oceanic plumes. The goal of the MASPEX-Europa investigation is to determine, through in-situ measurement of the exosphere and plume composition, whether the conditions for habitability exist or have existed on Europa. As conventionally defined, based on our knowledge of Earth life, the three fundamental conditions for habitability are: (1) the presence of liquid water; (2) the presence of organic compounds and the biogenic elements CHNOPS; and (3) a source of energy available for metabolic processes, which for Europa will most probably be chemosynthetic rather than photosynthetic. Condition (1) is already established by previous indirect (magnetic field) measurements, while MASPEX will contribute directly to the evaluation of condition (2) through highly specific compositional measurements in the Europan exosphere and plumes. The composition measurements will also contribute to the test of condition (3) through disequilibrium states of chemical reactions. Thus, the primary goal of MASPEX for Europa Clipper is to assess the habitability of Europa and specifically of its interior ocean. MASPEX has been developed successfully, and its calibration has demonstrated that it meets its specified requirements for sensitivity, dynamic range, and mass resolution. This paper reports the development of the MASPEX scientific investigation, the instrument, its performance, and calibration.
ISSN:0038-6308
1572-9672
DOI:10.1007/s11214-024-01061-6