Development of a Renewable Atomic Oxygen Sensor for Low Earth Orbit

Gabriel, Stephen; Osborne, J. J.; Roberts, G.T.; Chambers, A.R.

doi:10.2514/2.3347

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…147 If sensor reusability is of concern the new semiconductor AO sensors are a better option. 97,98 Another ''level'' up in mass and power requirements are QCM-based sensors. These also represent an increase in complexity but, like some of the optical techniques, equipment is available as a proven, off-the-shelf technology.…”

Section: Discussion and Technique Comparisonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, recent investigation has shown the potential for actinometers with semiconductor sensing elements; for example, zinc oxide in single crystal and thin film form. 97,98 These sensors combine the advantages of silver and carbon-based devices but, unlike those detectors, they may also be regenerated to make repeated measurements of AO flux. 99 Instead of the sensing material becoming permanently oxidized, the AO remains on the surface of the semiconductor in a chemisorbed state.…”

Section: Actinometersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Satellite and rocket-borne atomic oxygen sensor techniques

Osborne¹,

Harris

Roberts

et al. 2001

Review of Scientific Instruments

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Neutral atomic oxygen (AO)—the dominant atmospheric species at typical low Earth orbit altitudes—is responsible for the erosion, or other degradation, of many satellite materials. Therefore, AO has become an important consideration for spacecraft designers and manufacturers. The study of AO is also of interest to atmospheric physicists because it is involved in many of the chemical reactions occurring naturally in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. Both these groups rely on atmospheric models for computer-based simulation and prediction of atomic oxygen concentrations. Such models require, or are enhanced by, empirical input data—that is, actual measurements of AO number densities. A review is presented of the different measurement techniques that, to date, have been used on satellites and sounding rockets to perform AO studies. Rather than reporting results from every sensor application, this article takes a more general view of the experimental methods, using example devices to highlight their advantages and disadvantages. New or promising equipment, or techniques that could be exploited for performing such measurements, are also described. We attempt some semiquantitative comparison of the techniques, although the most appropriate experimental method for any given flight opportunity depends heavily on the mission conditions and science goals. Our emphasis is on missions where the available mass and power are limited. In these situations the most suitable established device is probably that of the thin film actinometer. If more risk can be assumed then a more promising, but as yet unqualified, method is that of the fiber-optic reflectance sensor. However, since both these devices are nonreusable, it is shown that semiconducting sensors may be better for long duration, mass- and power-limited applications.

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Section: Discussion and Technique Comparisonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Actinometersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite and rocket-borne atomic oxygen sensor techniques

Osborne¹,

Harris

Roberts

et al. 2001

Review of Scientific Instruments

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“…35 The instrument is split into two units: a sensor unit, and an electronics unit. Engineering models of both units are shown in Fig.…”

Section: Spacecraft Applicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial results from ground-based testing of an atomic oxygen sensor designed for use in earth orbit

Osborne

Roberts

Chambers

et al. 1999

Review of Scientific Instruments

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Many sensors have been applied to the problem of measuring neutral atomic oxygen fluxes in low Earth orbit. The techniques used to date tend to suffer from several key disadvantages, variously: large mass and power budgets, large size, high cost, the ability to make only one measurement and poor time resolution. In this article preliminary results from ground-based testing of a novel atomic oxygen sensor based on a semiconducting metal oxide are reported. Such sensors are simple and relatively cheap while also requiring small power and mass budgets and, most importantly, are reusable. The sensors have been used in laboratory experiments to investigate the axial variation of atomic oxygen flux in a pulsed laser atomic oxygen source; the results compare well with readings taken with a carbon-coated quartz crystal microbalance. A small instrument based on these sensors has been designed and built for application on the UK’s STRV-1c microsatellite.

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