PowerPoint Presentation

Colorado Space Grant ConsortiumDemoSat-BColorado State UniversityMatthew Jui, Ian Patterson, Mark Spowart, Todd WallisJuly 11 2011Launch Readiness Review

12Mission Statement The CO2 measurement with respect to altitude system (CMAS) will accurately record carbon dioxide levels up to 80,000 feet.

Mission Statement and GoalsObjectivesPayload will measure concentration of CO2 ,RH, temperature and pressure at intermittent altitudesPayload will operate by itself for 200 minutes and take data for both ascent and descent

Optional ObjectivesPayload will visually record weather conditions through an attached camera or video camera

Topic BackgroundMultiple organizations have conducted similar research but with different techniques. (sample from aircraft, and Space observation)Benefits to NASA:The low cost, light weight carbon dioxide measuring system would give NASA a mobile way to accurately record atmospheric CO2 levels with respect to altitude.3Design:The design features a low weight polyurethane shell that tightly houses central componentsCurrently spent $641.82 of the budget, and weight is at .91 kg4

Diagram showcasing air flow through the system

Picture showing actual structure with central components mounted insideExpected Results:Due to the season during which launch will take place, we expect to see a nearly constant concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide for the duration of our flightDue to the effects of pressure changes on our carbon dioxide measurement system, we have to use empirical calculations to correct for pressure changes, this will limit the validity of the data retrieved to between 70,000 to 80,000 feet5

Graph highlighting the loss of coherent data with lowering pressure, data taken during a vacuum chamber testLevel of Readiness:6

First different shell prototypes were tested using the given procedures. Polyurethane shells were filled with ballast until it weight 1.5kg.7

Testing was continued in a vacuum chamber where a series of dwells were performed over what was deemed to be critical pressures, this was done so as to test both the circuitry in a vacuum as well as the validity of our empirical pressure correction8

A bubble test was then performed to measure the flow rate of the pump, a flow rate of .3 SLPM was required for accurate carbon dioxide data

9Picture showing the integration of flight chord tube, inlet air tube, and start switch

10After a series of battery tests, it was found that the use of six 9 volt batteries would insure power for a 200 minute flight11Questions?