This is the sensor system from the DUCMA (Dust Counter and Mass Analyzer) instrument. The DUCMA was designed to measure the masses and fluxes of impacting dust particles. The instrument flew onboard the Vega spacecraft that flew by the comet Halley in March 1986. The DUCMA used a polarized polymer film to detect particle impacts and measure the particle’s mass and velocity. A second detector collected acoustic information from the impacts. The Vega encounters with comet Halley allowed the first direct measurements of the dust particles originating from the nucleus of a comet.
NASA transferred this sytem to the Museum in 1992.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
Manufacturer
University of Chicago, Enrico Fermi Institute, Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research
Dimensions
3-D (Excluding Cord): 21.6 x 17.1 x 21cm (8 1/2 x 6 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.)
Other (Cord): 198.1cm (78 in.)
Materials
Steel, Aluminum, Teflon, Kapton (Polymide), Rubber (silicone), Plastic, Copper, Paint
Inventory Number
A19920067000
Credit Line
Transferred from NASA
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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