The Technology Demonstration of the Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor

Abstract

The Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor (S.A.M.) is a miniaturized Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) instrument being sent to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019. While on-station, the S.A.M. instrument will continuously monitor the major atmospheric constituents as well as trace organic volatiles in the cabin air daily. At its core, the S.A.M. sensor consists of a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (QITMS) coupled to a MEMS preconcentrator, gas chromatograph, and microvalve system. Its miniature, ruggedized form factor allows the S.A.M. to be aisle-deployed throughout different nodes of the ISS to monitor different astronaut environments and activities such as exercise and sleep. The final system design of the S.A.M. flight unit, regarding the GC/MS architecture, the mechanical and electrical assembly, and the software implementation, will be discussed in detail and the S.A.M. flight unit performance will be presented.