RPC-LAP: The Rosetta Langmuir Probe Instrument

• Published in: Space science reviews Vol. 128; no. 1-4; pp. 729 - 744
• Main Authors: Eriksson, AI, Bostroem, R, Gill, R, Aahlen, L, Jansson, S-E, Wahlund, J-E, Andre, M, Maelkki, A, Holtet, JA, Lybekk, B, Pedersen, A, Blomberg, L G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.02.2007
• Subjects: astrid-2; comet p/halley; cometary plasma; Comets; Electric fields; electric-field; Electron energy; Flow velocity; Fysik; Ionization; Langmuir probes; Langnmir probes; magnetosphere; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Outgassing; Physics; Plasma; Plasma density; plasma density measurements; plasma environment; Rosetta; satellite; space instrumentation; Spacecraft; wave
• ISSN: 0038-6308; 1572-9672; 1572-9672
• DOI: 10.1007/s11214-006-9003-3

The Rosetta dual Langmuir probe instrument, LAP, utilizes the multiple powers of a pair of spherical Langmuir probes for measurements of basic plasma parameters with the aim of providing detailed knowledge of the outgassing, ionization, and subsequent plasma processes around the Rosetta target comet. The fundamental plasma properties to be studied are the plasma density, the electron temperature, and the plasma flow velocity. However, study of electric fields up to 8 kHz, plasma density fluctuations, spacecraft potential, integrated UV flux, and dust impacts is also possible. LAP is fully integrated in the Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC), the instruments of which together provide a comprehensive characterization of the cometary plasma.