Trace Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide Senor

In a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with Marshall Space Flight Center MFSC), Spectral Sciences, Inc., of Burlington, Massachusetts, has produced trace atmospheric carbon monoxide sensors based on a novel infrared light source. The research provides the means for long-term monitoring of carbon monoxide (CO) trace concentrations in inhabited environments, with particular application to the U.S. Space Station. Spectral Sciences currently holds an outstanding purchase order from ABB Process Analytics to deliver a version of the light source for their evaluation.

A modified version of the technology has been designed to monitor hydrogen chloride (HCl) concentrations in airborne rocket motor exhaust clouds. In an ongoing effort performed jointly with Thiokol Corporation for the US Air Force, the sensors are being used to measure HCl released into the air by Titan rocket motors.