The Large-Area Dust Detection Array (LADDA) Original Research Article

A design for a low-mass (10 kg) Large-Area Dust Detection Array (LADDA) that can directly detect interstellar dust particles in the size range of 1 to 10 μm is described. Because of the low fluxes of interstellar dust, a large-area detector is needed. Two parallel layers of position-sensitive PVDF films, with a total sensitive area of ∼ 10m2, are utilized to allow the direction of motion of the impacting dust grain to be determined to better than 1 degree. The time flight between the PVDF layers allows the determination of the particle velocity with an accuracy of ∼ 0.2 km/s. This will allow interstellar dust to be unambiguously distinguished from interplanetary dust and man-made debris. During the operational lifetime of the mission (2 years), it is anticipated that over 1000 interstellar grains will be detected. These will be characterized by their size distribution, upstream direction, and velocity relative to the Solar System.