05 Aug

Posted at 01:26h in
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The space industry is growing faster than ever with Artemis missions propelling both public and private organizations forward to develop infrastructure for living on the Moon and Mars. A major limiting factor, however, lies within the process to source construction materials. Biopolymer-bound Soil Composites (BSC), a novel class of concrete-like construction materials composed of a local soil and biopolymer binder, offers a promising solution for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) in space and sustainable construction on Earth. Composed of a 9:1 ratio of soil to binder by weight, the mixing, hydration, and hardening of the mixture allows for a network of protein bridges to form between the soil particles to create a shear-resistance structure. Determining the effect of different gravitational forces on the resulting structure of the BSC is important to predict the properties of BSC formed in the reduced gravity environments of the Moon and Mars, such as its compressive strength. To investigate this, samples of BSC with Lunar and Martian regolith simulant as the aggregate and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the binder are to be created in varying gravity environments.  After each experiment, all specimens use x-ray micro-computed tomography to image and measure structural features such as porosity, interparticle bond orientation, and bond density using image processing. Further analysis will show the effect of varying gravity on the compressive strengths of the BSC specimens based on the number of structural features observed. Our hypothesis is that decreasing gravity creates more uniform protein bridges that leads to a higher overall...

02 Aug

Posted at 06:48h in
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Science Objectives: Investigate the condensation process of gases present in interstellar space to form astrophysical grains (presolar grains) in a microgravity laboratory setting. Test the vacuum chamber facility for such experiments in microgravity. Capacitively Coupled Plasma experiments can help identify the conditions that influence the formation and growth of these grains on a smaller scale to gain insights into the larger, natural processes. Although several terrestrial studies have been able to produce grain samples similar to those in the solar system, in-depth research is needed to understand such processes in micro-gravity environments. Further, different materials and their long-term behavior in microgravity can be tested in order to conduct more complex plasma experiments. Method: A specially designed vacuum chamber with provisions for flexibility and ease of experimentation will allow controlled conditions mimicking the interstellar environment as closely as possible for the gas condensation experiments. The experiments can be performed over various time scales. The designed chamber will utilize tools such as spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to analyze the composition of the formed astrophysical grains. The chamber can be designed to gather experimental data with respect to gravity and analyze trends and draw correlations. Anticipated Results: The experiments are expected to reveal insights into how gases present in interstellar space condense and form astrophysical grains under controlled conditions. Furthermore, the observations of the gas condensation process will help identify potential mechanisms involved in grain formation and growth, contributing to our understanding of the interstellar medium. By varying temperature and time scales, the impact of these factors...

01 Aug

Posted at 06:49h in
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One of my long-term ambitions in the field of aerospace is to develop a resource pool to promote holistic learning and growth for people in the space community. In conjunction, I have always dreamed of developing and exhibiting my own art portfolio that encompasses art, philosophy, science, and humanity. This project with Out Astronaut will serve as the first experiment and/or exhibition to integrate my dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the power of Art.One of my handful ideas is a clear box filled with colorful fluid and two or more humans of different identities and appearances floating with their own will–arbitrary motor-controlled movements–and the aid of the cosmos–random movement of fluid. The fluidity of the human models’ movement will symbolize the fluid nature of gender identity and sexual orientations. Microgravity and the free translational and rotational movements of the box will catalyze randomized movement of the enclosed objects, all while the performer operates the motors to cause intentional movements. While more details are to be determined, my ultimate goal is to ensure that microgravity and queer dialogue are thoroughly woven into the fabric of my artwork and performance.Moreover, as an engineer and an artist, I yearn to share the impact of the overview effect with all citizens of this world through art and dialogues. I strongly believe that the work done in microgravity must be brought back to humanity and continue its progress and impact on the people. The conversation on the roles of citizen astronauts has always...

31 Jul

Posted at 17:43h in
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Science Objectives:This experiment aims to study microgravity's impact on plant growth and genetic expression, vital for long-duration space missions like Mars, where sustainable food production is crucial. It seeks to understand plant adaptation to altered gravity and identify changes in gene expression facilitating this process.Method:Conducted aboard the National Research Council of Canada's Falcon-20 microgravity aircraft (IIAS's BIO 103 program), diverse seeds of adaptable, nutritious plant species will be selected.1. Pre-Flight Preparation:- Sterilize seeds to prevent contamination.- Use self-contained growth modules with controlled conditions.- Analyze and record genetic expression of growth and stress response genes.2. In-Flight Experiment:- Activate growth modules during microgravity achieved through parabolic flight.- Compare with control modules maintained at 1G.- Monitor plant growth with high-resolution cameras.3. Post-Flight Analysis:- Preserve plant samples for analysis.- Identify genetic expression changes via RNA sequencing.- Quantify growth parameters (height, leaf area, root length, biomass) and compare microgravity with 1G samples.Anticipated Results:1. Altered Growth Patterns: Microgravity is expected to cause distinct growth patterns, including stem elongation, leaf orientation, and root development changes compared to 1G.2. Genetic Expression: Analysis may reveal activation or suppression of genes essential for plant adaptation to microgravity, offering insights into molecular mechanisms in space environments.3. Sustainable Space Agriculture: Understanding plant responses aids in designing effective space agriculture systems, optimizing food production, and ensuring crew well-being during long missions.Conclusion:This experiment advances sustainable space exploration by investigating plant adaptation to microgravity, impacting future missions and life support systems....

19 Jul

Posted at 02:32h in
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Microgravity slosh is unwanted movement of fluid in a tank and has plagued the space industry since the 1950’s. Mitigating slosh is important for space travel as it poses risk to fluid management, position, navigation and timing, and on-board experimentation. Current methods are costly and add weight and complexity. I propose a suborbital experiment to continue my custom surface energy research to reduce the cost and complexity of fluid management. By choosing this proposal, the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences fulfills their goals of the Out Astronaut Project with:Assurance of relevant research with an experienced microgravity researcherAdvancement of a new technology to support space travelSharing of my passion through an established STEM advocacy program.In 2019 I raised $25K to prove under parabolic flight, custom surface energies in spherical tanks reduces settling time and increases fluid aggregation at the sump. I’m currently under contract with Blue Origin for an unaccompanied suborbital flight to explore scaling and volumetric effects.Science Objectives: My proposed experiment seeks to answer the questions: can a custom surface energy profile manage ultra-high-wetting fluids, necessary for fuel oxidizers, and fluids in conformal tanks.Method: Superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic coatings are applied to tanks to create an engineered surface energy. Silicon oil is the ultra-high-wetting fluid and rectangular tanks serve as conformal tanks. I’ll use video to collect fluid settling time and aggregation behavior data. I’ll use these results to build a computational fluid dynamics model to iterate on surface energy profiles and fluid properties.Anticipated Results: I have two hypotheses. An engineered...

16 Jul

Posted at 04:59h in
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Objective: I propose a suborbital test of a hand-powered paper centrifuge (https://tinyurl.com/2wfk2ca9) against a standard one to validate its ability to produce reliable laboratory results at a fraction of the mass, volume, electrical power, and cost. As we travel further into space, communication delays and resource limitations will necessitate autonomous healthcare and science capabilities, but launching 1 kg of cargo to Mars may require more than 200 kg of fuel. A lightweight “paperfuge” would not only free up capacity, but it would also prevent several other problems. Noise, a common issue for spacecraft, would be greatly reduced. While electric centrifuges would experience counterrotation in zero gravity from the conservation of angular momentum, the bidirectional spin and minimal mass of a paper disk would neutralize this effect. To reduce burden on crews, the paperfuge’s speeds of up to 125,000 rpm might be able to prepare samples almost 10 times as fast as a conventional machine.Method: The paperfuge will be validated with standard blood specimens of varying hematocrit levels (i.e., percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells) that are determined prior to flight but blind to the experimenter. During the zero-gravity phase of a suborbital launch with a paperfuge and conventional centrifuge onboard, the hematocrit of each specimen will be measured up to 5 times with each device as time allows. Hematocrit will be determined by spinning a sample of blood and then dividing the height of the separated red blood cell portion by the total sample height. The accuracy and precision of the...

15 Jul

Posted at 06:56h in
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Objective:With current efforts for autonomous navigation, utilizing large language models (LLMs), an example being Chat-GPT, can advance autonomous space systems. Previously, the Max Launch Abort System (MLAS) conducted by NASA tested a rocket through a dedicated error recognition system mission. Similarly, implementing a LLM tuned to data produced from sensor readings within a high-altitude balloon could demonstrate error-identifying technologies while interpreting them as understandable error messages.Method:The mission utilizes a polyethylene high-altitude balloon filled with helium. Through a Raspberry Pi B+, APRS, and LoRa radio techniques, it will communicate with the nearest ground station and relay sensor data (e.g. GPS, temperature, speed). The balloon will be connected with TinyGS, a network of ground stations around the globe conducted by amateur radio operators, to share its status. Within the Raspberry Pi payload, the LLM will be finetuned on sensor data from previous Stanford missions and online repositories. The model will leverage data from tagged datasets explaining trends indicative of proper functionality, documents on failure modes in space missions, and any general space knowledge the LLM has already been trained on. Ultimately, the LLM’s outputs will be packetized and sent through LoRa to the TinyGS system, viewable online.Anticipated ResultsThe mission tests if a LLM can operate on low SWaP (size, weight, and power) technologies and observe the life cycle of a high-altitude balloon. The outputs logged by the LLM would remain observable throughout this life cycle due to its connection with the TinyGS system of ground stations around the globe. The project tests autonomous...

29 Jun

Posted at 23:01h in
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The aim of the proposal is to elucidate the effects of a microgravity state during spaceflight on various aspects of human immunity (e.g. T-cell activation and expression).   Objective #1: Observe gene expression profiles during the early T-cell activation phase. Importantly, the team will compare three different modes of producing the microgravity state (spaceflight, and two artificial simulations – rotating wall vessel and random positioning machine) to determine an equivalency to in-field observations, as well as subsequent influences on T-cell activation. Previous studies suggest qRT-PCR results should indicate suppression of protein synthesis in both simulated and spaceflight samples which correlates with immunosuppression of interleukin mRNA.   Objective #2: Study the posttranscriptional regulator, miR-21, to better understand its contributions to immunosuppression via T-cell activation pathway. The protein is known to downregulate a critical protein (AP1) in the t-cell regulation and apoptosis pathways, and I hypothesize that when exposed to microgravity states, miR-21 would downregulate AP1 and several targets act to regulate T-cell activation. This would result in decreased immune response. Studies suggest qRT-PCR differential regulation of the miR-21 target genes compared to ground (1g, non-microgravity), thus, a down-regulation of the immune components of the T-cell activation pathway and apoptosis.   Objective #3: Examine how T-cell subsets (CD4, CD8, CD25, CD69, CD71) behave with respect to production of immunological factors when exposed to microgravity over time. The team shall use the method of cell sorting by way of flow cytometry to study proliferation of these T-cell subsets.When compared to ground (1g) models, samples exposed to microgravity should experience a decrease in cytokine production and immune response in CD4 and CD8 cells. Additionally, I expect an increase in T-cell apoptosis when...

01 Feb

Posted at 18:26h in
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Since I began my career in astrophysics at Columbia, I was interested in the discovery of dark matter. I worked with the GAPS (General Antiparticle Spectrometer) team, and helped to fabricate their Silicon Lithium detectors. The GAPS experiment aimed to detect indirectly detect dark matter using detectors flown on a high altitude balloon at the North Pole. The feasibility of the experiment rests on the theory that dark matter consists of WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles). This theory implies that if dark matter interacts with itself, it could create a spray of matter-antimatter pairs, as these particles interact they can create exotic particles. One particle in particular that is quite difficult to make outside of WIMP-WIMP interaction is the anti-deuteron- this makes it a smoking gun detection of dark matter. When a high energy particle like the anti-deuteron enters a material like Silicon, it releases energy in the form of electrons. This allows us to coordinate an electrical signal with particle energy. By using an array of detectors, we would be able to characterize the particle by its energy and time of flight through the array. By flying the GAPS experiment at the North Pole, we may be able to find a particle energy signature that matches the anti-deuteron. This would imply that we had indirectly discovered dark matter! Or even more profound, contributed to our theory of WIMP dark matter! I have always wanted to take that 3 month trip to the arctic to watch GAPS fly, and be...

01 Feb

Posted at 02:17h in
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An experiment I would be interested in conducting on an aircraft would be to test the growth rate and survival of bacteria at various levels of altitude, such as ground level, 5,000 feet, 10,000 feet, 20,000 feet, 30,000 feet, and somewhere in a suborbital space flight. In this experiment, the bacteria would be exposed not only to different altitudes, but different temperatures at those altitudes, to determine whether bacteria would not only survive under these given conditions, but whether their rate of growth would be affected and if so, in what direction. The way the experiment would be conducted would be to have the same aircraft fly at the different given altitudes on different days under similar weather conditions at a steady, comfortable speed. The bacteria would be exposed to a temperature-controlled environment inside of the airplane for a period of six to eight hours (and the exact time would be the same for all days). Another set of bacteria would be in a lab on the ground exposed to similar conditions. The bacteria types that would be used in the experiment could vary, but would most likely be Escherechia Coli (e. coli), Bacillus Megaterium, Streptococcus Lactis, and Staphylococcus Aureus, and would be the same for every trial. In this experiment, I would anticipate that bacteria will likely be able to grow under all given temperatures and altitudes. However, I predict that the rate of growth of the bacteria population will be greater the lower the altitude for any given temperature and...