Payload 06 Information
Payload Flight Number:
Institution:
Payload Title:
Air Spora Trapping and Recovery Operation (ASTRO)
Student Leader:
Faculty Advisor:
Payload class:
SMALL
Payload ID Number:
06
Mass:
2.15 kg
Current:
270 mA
Serial Downlink:
?
Analog Downlink:
Serial Commands:
?
Discrete Commands:
Payload Specification & Integration Plan
Due: 06/21/2013
Delivered:
Payload Integration Certification
Scheduled: 08/02/2013
Actual:
Flight Operation Plan
Due: 07/26/2013
Delivered:
Final Flight / Science Report
Due: 12/13/2013
Delivered:
Abstract:
The goal of Air Spora Trapping and Recovery Operation (ASTRO) is to collect samples of the trace fungal spore populations present at the upper atmosphere with an efficient electrostatic trap. We will later sequence the genomes of our samples, and compare them to those of their land-based relatives. By doing so, we will be able to determine similarities and differences in genes with the corresponding land-based species. The sequences of the high-altitude organisms could potentially indicate genetic adaptations to the extreme conditions of the upper atmosphere. The long-term goal of the project is to enhance our designs and apply them to future projects, such as air spora sampling using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Our team is comprised of a student project leader, Jessica Sandoval, three undergraduate engineering students, each with a particular responsibility corresponding to a subsystem of the device, and our mentor and facilitating research scientist, Christopher Carr. Our team is highly interdisciplinary, currently involving four different MIT departments. |