Future planetary X-ray and gamma-ray remote sensing system and in situ requirements for room temperature solid state detectors

X-Ray and gamma-ray remote sensing observations find important applications in the study of the development of the planets. Orbital measurements can b e carried out on solar-system bodies whose atmospheres and trapped radiatio n environments do not interfere significantly with the emissions. Elemental compositions can be inferred from observations of these line emissions. Fu ture planetary missions also will involve landing both stationery and rovin g probes on planetary surfaces. Both X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers will be used for performing elemental analysis of surface samples. These future planetary missions will impose a number of constraints: the flight instrum ents must be significantly reduced in weight from those previously flown; f or many missions, gravity assist will be required, greatly increasing missi on duration, resulting in the passage of several years before the first sci entific measurement of a solar system body. The detector systems must opera te reliably after years of cosmic-ray irradiation. Both spectroscopy and im aging detection systems are required. Room temperature systems show great p romise for application to planetary X-ray and gamma-ray remote systems. A n umber of laboratory and sub-orbital, orbital, and planetary flight mission investigations have been and will be carried out in order to develop room t emperature solid state detector systems for space flight. (C) 1999 Publishe d by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.