Analytical Instrumentation in Space Expoloration

Abstract

t n 1961, this country launched one of its greatest scientific and engineering undertakings. At the specific recommendation of the President, with subsequent approval by the Congress, a manned lunar landing, in this decade, was established as a national goal. Thus, in less than three years from its creation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration assumed the largest scientific problem ever given to a government agency. The phenomenal growth of NASA would not have beam possible in this time scale without the experience and staff of its forerunner, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The Committee, or N.A.C.A., as it was called, had its beginning in 1915. Operating its own research facilities at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory and coordinating the efforts of many other interested parties, N.A.C.A. was charged by the Congress to:1. Furnish information, in regard to scientific or technical matters relating to aeronautics, to any department or agency of the government.2. Exercise these functions for any individual, firm, association, or corporation within the United States.3. Institute research, investigation, and study of problems for the advance of the science and art of aeronautics.4. Keep informed of the progress made in research and experimental work in aeronautics in all parts of the world.

Instrumentation

“…The most interesting "Report for Analytical Chemists" by Steele on analytical instrumentation in space exploration (20) lists and describes 18 instruments which are being developed to be used in lunar or planetary probes and to supply information about chemical composition in addition to other mechanical, geological, and biological properties or phenomena.…”