Optimization of the sensor "MicroMED" for the ExoMars 2020 mission: the Flight Model design

The optical particle counter "MicroMED" has been developed at the INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte in Naples, Italy and will be part of the IKI-led "Dust Complex" suite during the ExoMars 2020 mission. The development of the Flight Model design was aimed at the improvement of the instrument efficiency and the overcoming of some issues the Elegant Breadboard showed during previous analysis and test campaigns. This paper illustrates how the design was updated and what kind of improvements were obtained by means of the new design.