A fully-redundant, on-line, mass-spectrometer system used to monitor cryogenic fuel leaks on the Space Shuttle

• Published in: TrAC, Trends in analytical chemistry (Regular ed.) Vol. 21; no. 8; pp. 488 - 497
• Main Authors: Griffin, Timothy P, Breznik, Greg S, Mizell, Carolyn A, Helms, William R, Naylor, Guy R, Haskell, William D
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.08.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Gas monitoring; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Leak monitoring; Mass spectrometers and related techniques; On-line mass spectrometry; Physics; Process mass spectrometry; Real-time monitoring; Space Shuttle; Leak monitoring; On-line mass spectrometry; Space Shuttle; Process mass spectrometry; Real-time monitoring; Gas monitoring; Space application; Electronic control; Performance evaluation; Equipment specifications; Leak detectors; Space shuttles; Performance characteristic; Mass spectroscopy; Instrument for chemical analysis; Gas detector
• DOI: 10.1016/S0165-9936(02)00703-3
• ISSN: 0165-9936

An on-line, gas-monitoring system was developed to replace the older systems used to monitor for cryogenic leaks on the Space Shuttles before launch. The new system uses a mass spectrometer to monitor multiple locations on the Orbiter. The results of performance tests are reported in this article.