GeMini: A High-Resolution, Low-Resource, Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for Planetary Science Applications
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GeMini: A High-Resolution, Low-Resource, Gamma-Ray Spectrometer for Planetary Science Applications Morgan T. Burks1 · Owen B. Drury1 · John O. Goldsten2 · Lisle B. Hagler1 · Lena E. Heffern1,3 · Nathan R. Hines1 · Geon-Bo Kim1 · David J. Lawrence2 · Karl E. Nelson1 · Patrick N. Peplowski2 · Zach W. Yokley2
Received: 26 February 2020 / Accepted: 3 October 2020 / Published online: 15 October 2020 © Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract GeMini is a high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer designed for planetaryscience exploration. GeMini serves as the basis for instruments being flown on three upcoming deep-space missions: NASA’s mission to the M-class asteroid (16) Psyche, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency sample-return mission to the moons of Mars, and NASA’s Dragonfly mission that will land on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. These science missions require high-resolution spectroscopy in a low-power, low-mass, rugged design that can survive in a variety of environments. GeMini addresses these needs by providing a cryogenically cooled crystal of high-purity germanium that can operate with as little as 10 to 20 watts, depending on the implementation and mission, and has a mass of less than 2 kg. GeMini helps determine the elemental composition of planetary bodies by measuring gamma rays emitted from the surface. This paper describes the mechanical, thermal, and electrical design of GeMini as well as its performance. It also describes testing that was performed to validate the design with respect to launch loads and radiation damage. Although the basic design of GeMini is common to all three missions, each planetary body has unique environmental conditions and mission specifications. This paper concludes by describing these upcoming missions and how GeMini is customized for each. Keywords High-purity germanium detectors · Gamma-ray spectroscopy · Planetary nuclear spectroscopy · Mechanical cooling Note by the Editor: This is a Special Communication. In addition to invited review papers and topical collections, Space Science Reviews publishes unsolicited Special Communications. These are papers linked to an earlier topical volume/collection, report-type papers, or timely papers dealing with a strong space-science-technology combination (such papers summarize the science and technology of an instrument or mission in one paper).
B M.T. Burks
[email protected]
1
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
2
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
3
Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Fig. 1 GeMini prototype being developed for NASA’s mission to the M-class asteroid called (16) Psyche. Also shown is a type IVA iron meteorite (Muonionalusta) used in laboratory measurements as a surrogate of Psyche-like material for calibration and testing
1 Introduction GeMini is a versatile spectrometer designed for remote sensing of gamma-rays from planetary bodies. It is suitable for both orbital and landed
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