Instrumentation for space physics

JUL 01, 1966

To get experimental data from space vehicles to the ground, physical quantities (temperature, particle energy, etc.) must be converted to electrical quantities and then broadcast. Equipment for the Purpose varies according to the nature of the experiment and the amount of on‐board data processing desired. Early systems delivered fairly “raw” data to the ground, but as experiments grow more sophisticated, more on‐board sorting and analysis are necessary.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3048391

Carl O. Bostrom

George H. Ludwig

IN ATTEMPTING TO DESCRIBE the present status of instrumentation in “space physics” one is faced with the problem of defining terms. Space physics may be interpreted broadly to include (1) all experimental areas of physics in which the use of balloons, rockets, satellites, or space probes offer some advantage, and (2) ground based measurements of “space” phenomena. In category 1 are included all the in situ measurements of the environment (from the atmosphere to interplanetary space) as well as some areas of astronomy, astrophysics, lunar and planetary physics, geodesy, and meteorology. Examples of measurements in category 2 are solar and magnetic observatory measurements, ionospheric studies using radio propagation characteristics, auroral observations, etc. Clearly, a listing of the disciplines that might be considered part of space physics would be quite long and each of these areas uses a specialized and complex set of instrumentation that is worthy of detailed description.

References

1. G. H. Ludwig, “Relative advantages of small and observatory type satellites,” in press in Space Research VI, Proceedings of the COSPAR, Mar del Plata, Argentina, 1965.
2. G. W. Longanecker, D. J. Williams, and O. A. Wales, “Small standard satellite (S3) feasibility study” Goddard Space Flight Center Report X‐724‐120, March, 1966.
3. G. H. Ludwig, Rev. Sci. Instr., 30, 223 (1959).https://doi.org/RSINAK
4. G. H. Ludwig, Space Science Reviews, 2, 175 (1963).https://doi.org/SPSRA4
5. The SPME is a joint effort of the Applied Physics Laboratory and the Goddard Space Flight Center. The APL group includes C. O. Bostrom, A. F. Hogrefe, and R. E. Cashion. The GSFC group includes D. J. Williams, C. E. Fichtel, D. E. Hagge, and D. E. Guss.
6. The cosmic‐ray experiment is being developed by F. B. McDonald, V. K. Balasubrahmanyan, D. E. Teegarden, and G. H. Ludwig at the Goddard Space Flight Center.
7. The information on the spark chamber was kindly supplied to us by C. E. Fichtel and T. L. Cline who developed the instrument in collaboration with D. A. Kniffen, R. Ross, C. Ehrman, J. O’Conner, and E. Zugby.
8. The OAO Goddard Experiment Package is being developed by J. E. Kupperian, J. J. Boggess, E. S. Chin, and J. E. Milligan of the Goddard Space Flight Center and is being built by the Kollsman Instrument Corporation, Elmshurst, N.Y. For a more complete description see J. B. RogersonJr, Space Science Reviews, 2, 621 (1963).https://doi.org/SPSRA4

More about the Authors

Carl O. Bostrom. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

George H. Ludwig. Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md..