MIGMAS - An Analytical Mass-Spectrometer for Orbiting Material Science Laboratories

MIGMAS ("MIcroGravity MAss Spectrometer") is a miniaturised scanning ion microprobe mass spectrometer which is planned to be installed in 1998 as a permanent equipment on-board the Russian space station MIR and later on-board the Russian modul of the International Space Station "ISS". The development is realised in co-operation with Joanneum Research (electronics and software), the Austrian Research Centre Seibersdorf (ion optical - and vacuum system), the Kiev Branch of Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (mass spectrometer) and the RSC Energiya (transport to MIR and on-board operation). MIGMAS will be the first cosmonaut - operated microanalytical instrument in space. It should open up new possibilities in the solution of materials - related technological problems in space. On the space station MIR it will be possible for the first time to offer round the clock systematic research opportunity for science cosmonauts. So far, such possibilities have only been available on short (of the order of 1 week) missions in intervals of many months to years. Only such constant conditions can create the necessary requirement both for the solution of routine problems and for a consequent and continuous search for new applications of a permanently operated space laboratory. The instrument will mainly be used for investigations of space corrosion (degrading effect of space exposure on materials), quality control of space - produced ...(this text has been cut automatically)