UPR-R(river) P(rock)

University of Puerto RicoRío Piedras Campus

October 16, 2010CoDR Ver 0.1

Team Members

• Lisandra Cordero• Pedro J. Davila• Jose Fuentes• Luis Garcia• Rafael Gavilane• Laura Oben• Marilena Ortiz• Javier Rodriguez• Esteban Romero• Luis M. Rodriguez• Noel Sanchez• Veronica Zayas

Students: Faculty Support:

• Vladimir Makarov

• Geraldo Morell• Gladys Munoz• Rafael Velazquez• Benjamin

Bolaño• Oscar Resto

1) Mission objectives

a) Brief explanation

b) Expected findings

c) Related research/experimentation

2) Design

a) Hardware

i) Parts

ii) Functional block diagrams

3) RockSat Payload Canister Construction

Compliance

4) Integration

Mission Overview

Objectives

• Measurement of selected gases in near-space conditions.

• Inorganic and Microorganism aerosols survey in near-space conditions.

Measurement of gases

• Why gases?

– Measuring gases is an important part of the mission

since they can be the building blocks of polypeptides.

There is also an interest in measuring the gases that

cause the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse Effect

Finding microorganisms• What type of microorganism? a) Extremophiles: b) Psychrophiles (Below freezing temperatures) c) Piezophiles (High-pressure environments ) d) Radioresistant (Resistant to Ionizing

radiation, UV) e) Endospore (Dormant stage)

Why these specimens?

Expected results• Microorganisms or endospores which can resist

extremely high levels of radiation. This includes: UV (ultraviolet), X-rays and Gamma rays. Also capable of surviving in low pressures and temperatures.

• Polypeptides or amino acids could also be obtained because the Miller and Urey components could be readily available.

Related research• Most of the studies related to atmospheric

gases which have been collected at altitudes

of 3 km have identified and measured the

following: N2, O2, Ar, O, COx, CH4, H2S, SO2,

O3, NOx, CFC, and H2O

Supporting Analysis Research•Identification of gases during the flight

– Semiconductor gas sensor

• Collection of aerosols– Polymer nano-scale filter (25 to1000 nm)

• Bio-Sample Culture Collection and Survey– Sterilized adhesive collector and Microbiology standard procedures

• Inorganic particles analysis– Auger, XPS, SIM’s and Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy

• Size distribution and element characterization– Electron Microscopy (TEM, SEM, EDS, ELL’S)

• Laser spectroscopy analysis

Collection and Detection Diagram

AVR Controller and Data Storage

Computer Controlled Flow Valves

Microorganism and Aerosol Battery Filters

Multiple Semiconductor Gas Sensors

Gas Canister Sampler

Bernoulli Gases Exhaust Port

Ram Air Atmospheric Sampling Intake

100 nm

50 nm

1000 nm

500 nm

200 nm

100 nm

50 nm

1000 nm

500 nm

200 nm

100 nm

50 nm

1000 nm

500 nm

200 nm

Bleeder Computer Controlled Flow Line

Full Flow Diaphragm Pressure Regulator

Exhaust

Functional Payload

Functional Block Diagram

Power2x9V Supply

Batteries

G-Switch

RBF (Wallops)

5V Regulator

X / Y Acceleromet

er

Z Acceleromet

er

Temperature Sensor

AVR Board

AirCore Board

Flash Memory

6 channel

ADC

Control Circuit (NPN)

AVR Microcontroller

AD

C

Intake Solenoid Valves

Exhaust at Rocket unpressurized

section

Intake Solenoid

Valve

Nano-Filters Sequential Controlled

Valves

Exhaust Solenoid

Valve

Data

Airflow

Power

Interface

RAM Air Intake from Outside of

the Rocket

Gas Semiconductor

Sensor 5

Gas Semiconductor

Sensor 3

Gas Semiconductor

Sensor 1

2x9 V Supply

Gas Semiconductor

Sensor 2

Gas Semiconductor

Sensor 4

Gas Semiconductor

Sensor 6

Notice Electrical Compliance with Wallops

Sequential Controlled

Valves

AVR Schematic

Wallops Compliance

Parts: 1) 3/8” PTFC tubing2) Sequential Valves3) Polymer type membrane filters4) Discrete Semi-Conductor Sensors5) TE Grids6) Power and controls wiring7) AVR8) Gas Flow Control Diaphragms

Part ListAVR Board 9) ATMega 32L Microprocessor10) 16 MB Flash Memory11) 0-15 Psi Pressure Sensor12) 3-Axis Acceleration13) Temperature Sensor14) In-System-Programming15) Attached Geiger Counter16) 9 Volt Bus17) RBF pin on each kit18) G-switch on each kit

Special Requirements

Dynamic Port

Dynamic Port (Ram Air)

Air Intake and Bernoulli Exhaust

Exhaust

Ram Air Intake

• RockSat Payload Canister User Guide Compliance

Type of Restriction Restriction StatusMass allotment: Payload w/canisterVolume allotment: Full canisterThe payload’s center of gravity (CG): tested

In 1”X1”X1” envelope of centroid?

Wallops No-Volt Requirement Compliance: YesStructure mounts: Hoses are Required

Top and bottom bulkheads. No

mounts to sides of cans.

Sharing: Full Can

References• Miller, Stanley L. (May 1953). "Production of Amino Acids Under Possible Primitive Earth

Conditions". Science 117: 528.

• Thomas, Gary E. (1987) “Trace Constituents in the Mesosphere” Physica Scrypta T18: 281-288

• Philbrick,Charles R. ; Faucher,Gerard A. ; Wlodyka,Raymond A. (December 1971). “Neutral

Composition Measurements of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere”

National Technical Information Service

• Nicholson, W, Munakata, N, Horneck, G, Melosh,H, and Setlow, P, (2000). “Resistance of

Bacillus Endospores to Extreme Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Environments” Microbiology and

Molecular Biology Reviews, p. 548-572.

• Satyanarayana, T.; Raghukumar, C.; Shivaji, S. (July 2005). "

Extremophilic microbes: Diversity and perspectives". Current Science 89 (1): 78–90.