Cm-244 Alpha Source on Mars Pathfinder

[Wes Van Pelt <VanPeltW@IDT.NET>]

Hi Radsafers,

Hope you all had a nice time in San Antonio ... while I was in NJ.

Just thought you might be interested in the radiactive source carried on
the Mars Rover. I found the following info on the Web.

Mars Pathfinder and the Russian Mars-96 will carry an Alpha Proton X-Ray
Spectrometer (APXS) for the determination of the chemical composition of
Martian rocks and soil. The instrument will measure the concentration of
all major and many minor elements, including C, N and O, at levels above
typically 1%. The method employed consist of bombarding a sample of 50
mm diameter with alpha particles from a radioactive source (50 mCi of
Cm-244) and measuring: 

(i) backscattered alpha particles (alpha mode) 
(ii) protons from (a,p) reactions with some light elements (proton mode) 
(iii) characteristic X-rays emitted from the sample (X-ray mode). 


cheers, Wes

PS  I wonder if the space vehicle had the proper DOT hazardous material
shipping labels, shipping papers, and specification testing
documentation for a type A container?  And does NASAs NRC license
include Mars as a listed location for storage and use of Cm-244?

-- 
Wesley R. Van Pelt, Ph.D., CIH, CHP                KF2LG
President, Van Pelt Associates, Inc.     
Consulting in radiological health and safety.
mailto:VanPeltW@IDT.net        
http://shell.idt.net/~vanpeltw/index.html