X-ray fluorescence spectrometer onboard Muses-C Original Research Article

We present the key scientific objectives of remote x-ray spectrometry in Muses-C mission to a near-earth asteroid and the specification of the onboard x-ray spectrometer, XRS. The XRS will determine major elemental composition of the asteroid surface and its regional variation by observing the x-rays excited by solar x-ray irradiation. Information on surface roughness will be derived from the observations at various phase angles. In-flight calibration will be performed by observation of cosmic x-rays along the trajectory orbit of the Muses-C. In order to improve energy resolution and to extend detection energy range, charged-coupled devices are used as x-ray detectors. In situ calibration of x-ray fluorescence by solar x-ray irradiation into the onboard standard sample will improve the accuracy of quantitative elemental analysis.