ABSTRACT
The theoretical backgrounds, practical designs and exemplar instruments from spacecraft missions are discussed for all aspects of the direct investigation (as opposed to the astronomer's usual non-interactive remote observation) of solar system objects. Topics discussed include the following:
Surface investigations
Microscopy
Spectroscopy (Thermal Emissions, Solids, Gases, Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction, Alpha Particle Spectrometry and Mössbauer Spectroscopy)
Chemical and Biological Analyses (Gas Chromatograph, Gas Chromatograph – Mass Spectrometer Instruments, Biological Investigations, Neutron-Based Instruments, Neutron Spectroscopy, Neutron Activation Analysis and Wet Chemistry)
Physical Properties (Temperature and Thermal Conductivity or Inertia, Electricity and Magnetism and Density and Refractive Index)
Ionising Radiation Levels
Sampling (Passive sampling, Active Sampling, Digging, Brushing, Abrading, Drilling, Penetrators and Robotic Sample and Return)
Ground Truth
Retro-reflectors
Sub-surface investigations (Radar and Seismometry)
Atmospheric investigations (Spectroscopy, Nephelometry, Pressure, Temperature, Humidity, Wind and Acoustics)
Interplanetary Medium investigations
Large-Scale Magnetic Fields (Search Coil Magnetometer, Flux Gate Magnetometer and Helium Magnetometer)
Electric Fields (Langmuir Wave Instruments, Langmuir Probe Instruments and Electron Drift)
Interplanetary Dust
