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Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)
Helium abundance in Saturn is unknown and an important constraint on Saturn’s formation. The team's Hydrogen Ortho Para Sensor (HOPS) instrument could be tuned to quantify Saturn’s He mixing ratio were the acoustic signature (sound speed & attenuation spectra) of He in H2 known. This project will theoretically predict and experimentally measure the sound speed and attenuation spectrum of various He mixing ratios in H2 to tune HOPS.
No theoretical or experimental prediction of broadband ultrasonic acoustics in H2-He mixtures exists. Estimates suggest HOPS should be sensitive to signatures of He abundance. If so, this instrument would be a simple, low mass, low power complement to a Mass Spec on a Giant Planet Descent Probe.
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