Design validation of MicroMED, a particle analyzer for ExoMars 2020

Abstract
MicroMED is an optical particle counter that has been selected to join the ExoMars 2020 mission as part of the Dust Suite payload. The instrument will allow monitoring airborne dust of the Red Planet, focusing on the characterization of the atmosphere thermal structure, balance and dynamics. The MicroMED has been developed by consortium of Italian research Institutes and Spanish space agency. This study summarizes detailed thermo-mechanical design of the instrument and its validation in expected mechanical and thermal environments.