Mass spectrometric analysis in planetary science: Investigation of the surface and the atmosphere

Knowing the chemical, elemental, and isotopic composition of planetary objects allows the study of their origin and evolution within the context of our Solar System. Landed probes are critical to such an investigation. Instruments on a landed platform can answer a different set of scientific questions than can instruments in orbit or on Earth. Composition studies for elemental, isotopic, and chemical analysis are best performed with dedicated mass spectrometer systems. Mass spectrometers have been part of the early lunar missions, and have been successfully employed to investigate the atmospheres of Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Titan, and in comet missions. Improved mass spectrometer systems are foreseen for many planetary missions currently in planning or implementation.