Atmosphere Explorer pressure measurements: Ion gauge and capacitance manometer

Abstract
Absolute pressure measurements are made by two instruments aboard Atmosphere Explorer (AE) : a cold‐cathode ion gauge and a capacitance manometer. The dual sensors feature coverage from 120 to 370 km with double coverage below 200 km, differing and complementary sensing techniques, usable output in the spinning and both normal and inverted despun satellite modes, simple formatting to facilitate data use for real‐time monitoring of spacecraft operation, and cross‐calibration in the laboratory and in space.