DEFINITION:

In-situ instruments and sensors include components, sensors, and instruments sensitive to fields and particles able to perform in-situ characterization of the space environment and planetary samples. In-situ instruments and sensors technologies enable or enhance a broad range of planned and potential missions in the next two decades. In-situ instruments and sensors support comet, Moon, and planetary missions.

Note: see also 1-M-3

(Source: NASA TA8.3)

SUBDOMAINS:

1. Field and Particle Detectors: A variety of instruments aiming to characterize a large, spatially rich, and temporally dynamic space environment spanning from Earth’s and planetary ionospheres and magnetospheres to the solar corona, the heliosphere or heliopause, and the local interstellar medium.
2. In-situ (other):In-situ sensor technologies (for chemical, mineralogical, organic, and in-situ biological samples) include sample handling,  preparation, and containment; chemical and mineral analysis; organic analysis; biological detection and characterization; and planetary protection. These technologies need to be applied in extreme temperatures, pressures, and environments.