The sampling tube (ST) is a 70 mm length and 45 mm outer diameter aluminium cylinder which protrudes the fore dome of the probe in order, for the filter, to be positioned directly in the gas flow, outside the boundary layer. The upper extremity of ST is fixed to the gate valve. At the bottom part of ST, a stainless steel gasket, made of flat surfaces assembled with a bellows, will ensure tight connection with the filter. By this way, the gas flow is forced to pass through the filter's wire netting. When the cap of the sealing cover is ejected and the filter is in its sampling position, bottom end of FIL is 4 mm below the entrance, 28 mm from the external surface of the probe fore dome. Aerosols are collected by direct impaction during the first sampling phase (135-80 km). The pump unit draws atmospheric gas through the filter during the two aerosols sampling periods at 80 -32,5 and 22 -17 km nominal altitudes.

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