NSSDCA ID: 1975-054D-07
Mission Name: Venera 10 Descent CraftThe mass spectrometer was employed to determine the composition of Venus' atmosphere during the descent of the landing probe. It would take samples of atmosphere as it descended and make spectral measurements covering 10-55 a.m.u. at 50 seconds per sample. The instrument consisted of a sampler, inlet device, mass analyzer, pump, electronics, and high-voltage supply. The sampler was mounted on the probe by a sealed flange. The inlet system had three porous plugs in series to limit the entrance of the high pressure atmospheric gas into the system. The injection system kept the pressure of gas introduced into the ion source to about 0.0013 Pa. The mass analyzer had two electrodes, an earthed corner-shaped electrode,and a direct voltage cylindrical electrode. A magnetization vacuum pump was used to pump the chamber. It was intended to measure spectra from 63 km altitude (pressure ~0.13 bar) to 34 km (~6 bar), but due apparently to problems in the gas inlet system, no useful scientific data wre obtained.
Mass: 9.5 kg
Power (avg): 35 W
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Dr. David R. Williams
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. V. G. Istomin | Principal Investigator | Institut Kosmicheskich Issledovaniya (IKI) |