Accuracy of a Velocity/Trajectory Sensor for Charged Dust Particles

Abstract

AbstractA VELOCITY/TRAJECTORY cosmic dust sensor of the CHARGE-SENSING type was tested at the Heidelberg dust accelerator facility, using micronsized particles. The full-scale (0.4m x 0.4m x 0.3m) model displayed capabilities for providing accuracies to 0.1% in speed and 0.1° in angle relative to the spacecraft at high signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios. The particle's trajectory within the sensor can be located with an accuracy of 0.3mm.