Design Brief Specs and Limits

Group Design Brief:

Develop and construct an upper atmospheric probe to record the effects of upper atmospheric conditions (temperature, air pressure, and radiation) on the micro-organism the Tardigrade.

Individual Design Brief:

Design a probe hull and Tardigrade containment system that will contain electronic equipment and research organisms. The electronic components must be in an insulated compartment, while the Tardigrades must be in an exposed compartment. The device must maintain integrity throughout the project's flight. The device must also protect the petri-dishes from smashing while landing.

Final Users:

The users of the probe will be Connor Varley and Nathaniel Librizzi. Connor will be inserting his electronics into the probe, while Nathaniel will be designing the lift and recovery system for the project. Connor's electronics will record the data of the launch. Nathaniel's balloon and parachute will attach to the top of the probe providing lift and then a soft landing.

Location:

The locations the probe will be used in are various atmospheric conditions. Ranging from the extreme to mild. The start location will be Earth's surface. The midpoint location will be ~100,000 feet. The end location will be Earth's surface. The probe will be launched from somewhere in the Midwest of the United States of America and the probe will land somewhere near the tri-state area.

Time Used:

The balloon probe will most likely be launched early in the morning. The project will be launched sometime in late winter or early spring. The probe is designed to survive one flight.

Desirability:

The desirability of the probe is for scientific research. The probe hopes to support the Panspermia Hypothesis and other astrobiology topics. 

Specifications:

• The design must be able to travel to the upper atmosphere and return intact.
• The design must expose Tardigrades to the harsh upper atmospheric conditions.
• The design must insulate and protect electronic equipment from harsh upper atmospheric conditions.
• The design must be large enough to house all electronic equipment and Tardigrades.
• The design must adhere to federal air regulations. (No single payload compartment may weigh more than 12 pounds.)
• The design must be strong enough to remain intact throughout flight.
• The design must easily allow the Tardigrade containment system to be removed from the probe.

Limitations:

• The materials must be light: Styrofoam, insulation foam, plexi-glass.
• Some materials must be transparent: plexi-glass, plastic.
• There must be reinforced parts that will be under tension: aluminum, bolts, washers.
• There must be some permeable materials: holes, chicken wire, mesh.
• The probe and equipment must total no more than $1400 dollars.
• The probe must be able to house Nathaniel and Connors' equipment.