could probably learn more about Mars' atmosphere if the Russians would get a successful launch this decade :/

Wouldn't the actual spacecraft metal mass attract these ions more so than not? Correct me if I'm wrong but measures have been taken to reduce the metal to metal attraction in EVAs on orbiting spacecrafts performing repairs or maintenance. Special tools and or contact points have the metallic makeup reduced. I understood any two metallic objects in space will attract like magnets, hence, the theory of planetary accretion in a protoplanetary disk around a new star.

I know these folks are scientists and all, but have they considered they are measuring the very thing their spacecraft is accumulating? Making the measurements more dense than without the observational craft.

Like that cat in a box thing? (I know what its called). But no not really, that is different?

I'm sure they thought of that.

Help me understand what you mean about Mars's atmosphere, I thought I understood quite well. It became too inert at its size and distance from the sun and lack of tidal forces. Mars sort of lost from the getgo. I believe Mars died a couple billion years ago, unless it moved, which is doubtful considering Jupiter kept it there most likely, but not enough of an effect to keep it tectonically active.

This sounds to me like a power and tapable force for locomotion of some sort.....
maybe even electricity beamed to earth via giant microwave transmitter in space or some tesla esque device......
Is this in all of space, or just a belt of some kind, like a say the troposhere or whatever,
If this can be tapped for power, i could see huge colonies up there, or even factories spewing their pollution into the void instead of earths air and waters.....
earth could be transformed.