Ultra-Long Baseline Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry with the AMIGAS Multi-Spacecraft Concept

Abstract

Time-of-flight mass spectrometry allows for the study of elemental, isotopic, and molecular composition from a material sample. The mass sensitivity and resolution of time-of-flight mass spectrometers increases with the length of the instrument, where increased sensitivity indicates increased ability to distinguish between ions of similar masses. This indicates an inherent limit of traditional time-of-flight mass spectrometers designed as monolithic instruments for integration onboard a spacecraft: the length of the spectrometer, and therefore its sensitivity, is constrained by the form factor of the spacecraft. This paper motivates and presents a novel architecture for in-space mass spectrometry through the use of distinct, free-flying spacecraft that will be the subject of future research. The Advanced Mass Spectrometry in Gravity-Free Architectures (AMIGAS) concept aims to enable ultra-long baseline (10-100 m) time-of-flight mass spectrometry that could dramatically improve the sensitivity and resolution of in-space time-of-flight mass spectrometers to the point of detecting millidalton-level differences in atom or molecule mass. This paper presents the scientific motivation for why such a high sensitivity would be beneficial and explores the associated engineering constraints. A high-level overview of the AMIGAS concept is also provided along with anticipated challenges for practical implementation.