UPR-R(river) P(rock)Conceptual Design Review

University of Puerto RicoRío Piedras CampusDecember 17, 2008

(10:00 MDT)

Team Members

• Fernando Batista• Xavier Blanco• Jonathan Camino• Ramon Cintrón• Giovanni Colberg• Nelson Colon• Yanina Colon• Marta Esquilin• Maria P. Matta• Rafael Rios• Vanessa Rivera• Sheila Roman• Stephanie Wolfrom

Students: Faculty Support:

• Elizabeth Dvorsky

• Vladimir Makarov

• Geraldo Morell

• Gladys Munoz

• Jennifer Pfeiffer

• 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 User Guide

Compliance

4) Conclusion

Mission Overview

Objectives

• Measurement of selected gases in near-space conditions.

• Microorganism survey of array 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

Expected results• According to the findings of the “Neutral

Composition Measurements of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere” released in 1971 and “Trace Constituents in the Mesosphere” released in 1987 it is plausible to obtain the following gases:

- N2, O2, Ar, O, COx, O3, NOx and H2O.

• However, there are gases of undisclosed identity and concentration.

Miller/ Urey

• The Miller/Urey Experiment was one of the first attempts at explaining where early life in this planet arose. It was a simple premise, to simulate early earth atmospheric conditions and observe if there was any reaction that would yield "organic" particles. The experiment consisted of adding water (vapor) (H2O), methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen (H2), and carbon monoxide (CO) to a sterile balloon then an electric discharge was applied, simulating lightning, passed through it and cooled. The results were clear, amino acids were formed with an approximate 10%-15% yield.

Bases of LIFE !!!!

Finding microorganisms

• What type of microorganism?

- Extremophiles:

a) Psychrophiles (Below freezing temperatures)

b) Piezophiles (High-pressure environments )

c) Radioresistant (Resistant to Ionizing radiation, UV)

d) 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– 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

In Flight Computer Control

Computer Controlled Flow Valves

Microorganism and Aerosol Battery Filters

Multiple Semiconductor Gas Sensors

Gas Canister Sampler

Gases Exhaust

Atmospheric Intake

100 nm

50 nm

1000 nm

500 nm

200 nm

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50 nm

1000 nm

500 nm

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In Flight Computer Control

100 nm

50 nm

1000 nm

500 nm

200 nm

Collection and Detection Sequence

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

100 nm

50 nm

1000 nm

500 nm

200 nm

• Prototype Model

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” tubing

2) Sequential Valves

3) Millipore type membrane filters

4) Sensory Gas Active matrix array

5) Discrete Semi-Conductor Sensors

6) Power and controls wiring

7) AVR

8) 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)

• RockSat Payload Canister User Guide Compliance

Type of Restriction Restriction Status

Mass allotment: Payload w/canister

Volume allotment: Full canister

The payload’s center of gravity (CG): Still to be tested

In 1”X1”X1” envelope of centroid?

Wallops No-Volt Requirement Compliance: Yes

Structure mounts:

Hoses are Required

Top and bottom bulkheads. No

mounts to sides of cans.

Sharing: Full Can

• Management– Leader: Jonathan Camino

– Secretaries: Maria P. Matta and Vanessa Rivera

– Gas Sensors Designer: Rafael Rios

– Computer Programmer: Nelson Colon

– Sequential Valves: Fernando Batista

– Polymer Collection Filters: Xavier Blanco

– Related Library Research: Sheila Roman

– Preliminary Schedule: We expect to have a prototype at the end of this semester

– We will comply with the mass and volume

– The budget will be supported by PRSGC, we are also requesting additional funding from state government and private entities.

• Test Plans

- What type of testing can be performed on your payload pre-flight?

- What is required to complete testing?:- Support Hardware

- Purchase/produce?- Software

- Purchase/in-house?

- Potential points of failure- Testing/Troubleshooting/Modifications/Re-Testing Schedule

• Shared Can Logistics Plan

– We intend to use a full canister

– Our experiment will be based on finding microorganisms beyond the ozone layer, which divides the Stratosphere and the Mesosphere, the second aspect of our experiment is the measurement of gases in the atmosphere.

– By PDR know relative locations in can• We require two atmospheric ports (Dynamic Port (ram air) and lower port

into unpressurized section)

• Conclusions

– Issues and concerns

• AVR programming• Development of sequential control valves• Development of constant flow diaphragm

– Atmospheric Ports

• We have to decide which sensor will proceed for the gas measurements:

– Semiconductor sensors / Matrix Arrays Gas Sensors • Test Plans are discussed and will be developed during the

construction.

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.