Abstract: A method and system is described for determining attitude for a satellite. A two-axis ram sensor head measures neutral winds and provides a density of the neutral winds. A three-axis magnetometer measures a geomagnetic field. A measurement interface module calculates attitude information, which includes three-axis attitude knowledge of a satellite relative to a local-vertical local-horizontal orbit frame, based on the combined ram measurements and magnetic field measurements, and provides the attitude information to a satellite that comprises the attitude sensor system.

Abstract: An energy analyzer for a charged-particle spectrometer may include a top deflection plate and a bottom deflection plate. The top and bottom deflection plates may be non-symmetric and configured to generate an inhomogeneous electrostatic field when a voltage is applied to one of the top or bottom deflection plates. In some instances, the top and bottom deflection plates may be L-shaped deflection plates.

Abstract: A method and system is described for determining attitude for a satellite. A two-axis ram sensor head measures neutral winds and provides a density of the neutral winds. A three-axis magnetometer measures a geomagnetic field. A measurement interface module calculates attitude information, which includes three-axis attitude knowledge of a satellite relative to a local-vertical local-horizontal orbit frame, based on the combined ram measurements and magnetic field measurements, and provides the attitude information to a satellite that comprises the attitude sensor system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to an apparatus that provides four simultaneous ion and neutral measurements as a function of altitude with variable sensitivity for neutral atmospheric species. The variable sensitivity makes it possible to extend the measurements over the altitude range of 100 to more than 700 kilometers. The four instruments included in the apparatus are a neutral wind-temperature spectrometer, an ion-drift ion-temperature spectrometer, a neutral mass spectrometer, and an ion mass spectrometer. The neutral wind-temperature spectrometer and ion-drift ion-temperature spectrometer are configured to separate O and N2 and O+ from H+ while the neutral mass spectrometer and the ion mass spectrometer are configured to separate mass with a resolution of one in sixty-four to enable metallic ion identification in the lower thermosphere.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to an apparatus that provides four simultaneous ion and neutral measurements as a function of altitude with variable sensitivity for neutral atmospheric species. The variable sensitivity makes it possible to extend the measurements over the altitude range of 100 to more than 700 kilometers. The four instruments included in the apparatus are a neutral wind-temperature spectrometer, an ion-drift ion-temperature spectrometer, a neutral mass spectrometer, and an ion mass spectrometer. The neutral wind-temperature spectrometer and ion-drift ion-temperature spectrometer are configured to separate O and N2 and O+ from H+ while the neutral mass spectrometer and the ion mass spectrometer are configured to separate mass with a resolution of one in sixty-four to enable metallic ion identification in the lower thermosphere.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and apparatus employing an ultralow power, pulsed data collection apparatus having multiple detector channels, such as 64 channels. The system and apparatus has a small volume and power requirements, enabling launch and deployment from commercial spacecraft, such as pursuit to the CubeSat and other nanosatellite protocols.

Abstract: An ion source may include first, second, and third electrodes. The first electrode may be a repeller having a V-shaped groove. The second electrode may be an electron emitter filament disposed adjacent the base of the V-shaped groove. The third electrode may be an anode that defines an enclosed volume with an aperture formed therein adjacent the electron emitter filament. A potential of the first electrode may be less than a potential of the second electrode, and the potential of the second electrode may be less than a potential of the third electrode. A fourth electrode that is disposed between the electron emitter filament and the anode may be used to produce a more collimated electron beam.

Abstract: An ion source may include first, second, and third electrodes. The first electrode may be a repeller having a V-shaped groove. The second electrode may be an electron emitter filament disposed adjacent the base of the V-shaped groove. The third electrode may be an anode that defines an enclosed volume with an aperture formed therein adjacent the electron emitter filament. A potential of the first electrode may be less than a potential of the second electrode, and the potential of the second electrode may be less than a potential of the third electrode. A fourth electrode that is disposed between the electron emitter filament and the anode may be used to produce a more collimated electron beam.

Abstract: A wind and temperature spectrometer (WTS) may detect the angular and energy distributions of neutral atoms/molecules and ions in two mutually perpendicular planes. The measured energy distribution at a known angle near the peak may be used to infer the full wind vector W. A WTS having a single ion source may be used in conjunction with a crossed small-deflection energy analyzer (SDEA). The crossed SDEA may combine the angular and energy distributions in the two mutually perpendicular planes into a single spectrometer with a single optical axis. A WTS having a single ion source may use less energy and occupy less space than a WTS with two ion sources.

Abstract: A wind and temperature spectrometer (WTS) may detect the angular and energy distributions of neutral atoms/molecules and ions in two mutually perpendicular planes. The measured energy distribution at a known angle near the peak may be used to infer the full wind vector W. A WTS having a single ion source may be used in conjunction with a crossed small-deflection energy analyzer (SDEA). The crossed SDEA may combine the angular and energy distributions in the two mutually perpendicular planes into a single spectrometer with a single optical axis. A WTS having a single ion source may use less energy and occupy less space than a WTS with two ion sources.