Control and Data Transmission System for a Balloon-Borne Ion Mass Spectrometer

Abstract

A balloon-borne instrument package is currently being developed by the Aeronomy Division of the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory. The primary instrument is a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Its task is to detect ambient ion and neutral clusters at altitudes of 30 to 40 kilometers. Positive and negative ions in the range of 14 to 1000 atomic mass units (amu) are to be investigated. An aspirated Gerdien condenser and a low emission potential probe are included as supporting instruments. A flight from the AFGL Balloon Facility at Holloman AFB, New Mexico is planned for spring, 1981.