High temperature, wireless seismometer sensor for Venus

Space agency mission plans state the need to measure the seismic activity on Venus. Because of the high temperature on Venus (462°C average surface temperature) and the difficulty in placing and wiring multiple sensors using robots, a high temperature, wireless sensor using a wide bandgap semiconductor is an attractive option. This paper presents the description and proof of concept measurements of a high temperature, wireless seismometer sensor for Venus. A variation in inductance of a coil caused by the movement of an aluminum probe held in the coil and attached to a balanced leaf-spring seismometer causes a variation of 700 Hz in the transmitted signal from the oscillator/sensor system at 426°C. This result indicates that the concept may be used on Venus.