Payload Flight Number:

2008-10

Institution:

Montana State University / Montana Space Grant Consortium

Payload Title:

Passive High Altitude Particle Capture Experiment

Student Leader:

Jayson Nissen
Physics
Borealis Program
PO Box 172220
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
Jayson_Nissen@yahoo.com
Cell: 406-581-1982

Faculty Advisor:

Berk Knighton
Chemistry and Biochemistry
PO Box 173400
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
bknighton@chemistry.montana .edu
Office: 406-994-5419
Cell: 406-599-3138
Fax: 406-994-5407

Payload class:

Large

Payload ID Number:

10

Mass:

< 20 kg

Current:

1.4 A @ 30V max

Serial Downlink:

4800 baud

Analog Downlink:

No

Serial Commands:

Yes

Discrete Commands:

Payload Specification & Integration Plan

Due: 6/1/2008

Delivered:

Payload Integration Certification

Scheduled:

Actual:

Flight Operation Plan

Due:

Delivered:

Final Flight / Science Report

Due: 12/15/2008

Delivered:

Abstract:

The purpose of our experiment is to collect particles, especially those of extraterrestrial origins,from the stratosphere and return them to earth for analysis. Our collection method will be a ~900cm2 collection plate that will passively collect dust particles as they fall through the atmosphere. An improved collection system has been designed. This collection plate will be a thin optically clear Plexiglas plate, coated with a thin film of silicone oil. Particles striking the collection plate will be trapped within the silicone oil coating. The plate will be housed within an aluminum box, which can be mechanically opened at a specified altitude, exposing the plate. The box will be closed prior to descent to prevent terrestrial contamination. The new collection plate will allow us to optically image the particles directly from the plate. Particles which appear

interesting after optical analysis, will be imaged and chemically analyzed with a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FEM).

Summary Status:

Original

Summary Date:

February 8, 2008