Payload 10 Information
Payload Flight Number:
Institution:
Payload Title:
Passive High Altitude Particle Capture Experiment
Student Leader:
Faculty Advisor:
Payload class:
Large
Payload ID Number:
10
Mass:
< 20 kg
Current:
1.4 A @ 30 MAX
Serial Downlink:
4800 baud
Analog Downlink:
No
Serial Commands:
Yes
Discrete Commands:
No
Payload Specification & Integration Plan
Due:
Delivered:
Payload Integration Certification
Scheduled:
Actual:
Flight Operation Plan
Due:
Delivered:
Final Flight / Science Report
Due:
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 ~900 cm2 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). The MREII module will utilize HASP's 30VDC power supply to power thermal control and processing equipment. A DB9 connector will be use to transmit real-time telemetry via HASP's telemetry system using the provided RS232 link. Data will be stored on board, via high capacity data storage. To address possible problems in the sampling rate, given the high frequency of the original data band, we are going to use a heterodyne system.
Monthly Briefings:
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