INMS Engineering Technical Write-up
TL: Dr. J. Hunter Waite
INMS General Description:
The Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) is intended to measure
positive ion and neutral species composition and structure in the
upper atmosphere of Titan and magnetosphere of Saturn, and to
measure the positive ion and neutral environments of Saturn's
icy satellites and rings.
INMS Scientific Objectives:
- To measure ion and neutral species composition and structure
in the upper atmosphere of Titan.
- To study Titan atmospheric chemistry.
- To investigate the interaction of Titan upper atmosphere with
the magnetosphere and solar wind.
- To measure ion and neutral species compositions during ring
plane crossings and icy satellite flybys.
INMS Sensing Instruments:
- Closed source (neutrals only) and open source (ion and neutrals)
- Lens System
- Quadrupole Mass Analyzer and Detector, 1-99 amu
INMS Instrument Characteristics:
- Mass (current best estimate) = 9.25 kg
- Average Operating Power (current best estimate) = 27.70 W
- Average Data Rate (current best estimate) = 1.50 kilobits/s
The Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer Subsystem (INMS) will be
used to study the neutral gases and positive ions in the atmospheres of
Saturn and Titan and gases in the vicinities of the Saturnian rings and
the icy satellites. It will also study the magnetosphere of Saturn.
The major functional components of the INMS Subsystem are an open ion
source, a closed ion source, a quadrupole deflector and lens system, a
quadrupole mass analyzer, and a dual detector system. For information
on these components, click on their names.
