1. Introduction: CASS E Background 1. Detection of stratospheric - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Cranfield Astrobiological Stratospheric Sampling Experiment (CASS•E) for BEXUS 2009/2010

Selection Workshop ESTEC, ESA, NL. Wednesday 16th December 2009

CASS•E

CASS•E Presentation structure:

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Team
• 3. The Experiment
• 4. The Design
• 5. Identified Risks
• 6. Testing
• 7. Outreach
• 8. Schedule

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CASS•E

• 1. Introduction:

Background

• 1. Detection of stratospheric

microorganisms:

• To study life in extreme environments.
• Panspermia?
• 2. Previous experiments flown to detect

microbes in Stratosphere:

• Levels of organisms expected in

stratosphere are very low.

• Human mouth contains 1013 bacterial cells.
• How can we be confident any microbes.

detected are stratospheric?

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CASS•E

• 1. Introduction:

Experimental Idea

Planetary Protection and Contamination Control (PP&CC):

1.How do you clean/sterilise your hardware?

• Dry Heat Microbial Reduction (DHMR)

2.How do you keep it clean once it has been sterilised?

• Biobarriers

3.How do you measure how clean it is?

• Swabbing and culturing
• Other microbiological assays e.g. ATP detection
• Fluorescent beads as a proxy of contamination

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CASS•E

• 1. To design, build and fly an experiment that is

capable of collecting microorganisms in Earth’s Stratosphere.

• 2. To ensure that microorganisms collected are truly

stratospheric rather than contamination introduced during payload assembly, integration, ground handling, launch, flight and recovery.

• 3. To improve understanding of PP&CC

implementation in life detection experiments for stratospheric and broader Astrobiology missions.

• 1. Introduction:

Aims & Objectives

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CASS•E

• 2. The Team:

Bios

Clara (Spain) Lolan (South Africa) Satinder (UK) Catherine (UK) Vinay (India) Carla (Portugal)

5 of 22 Team Leader & Electronics

• B.Eng.

Computer Systems Engineering

• MSc.. Space

Engineering

• PhD.

Instrumentation for Astrobiology

Electronic & Systems Engineer

• B.Eng.

Electronics & Satellite Engineering

• MSc. Space

Engineering

Bioassay and PP&CC Specialist

• M.Sci.

Chemistry

• PhD Assay

Development for Astrobiology

Mechanical & Structural Engineer

• B.Eng.

Mechanical Engineering.

• MSc. Space

Engineering

Biological Engineer

• M.Eng.

Biological Engineering.

• MSc. Molecular

Medicine.

• PhD Receptor

Development for Astrobiology.

Process Engineer & Outreach

• B.Sc. Chemical

Engineering

• B.Sc. Physics
• MSc. Space

Engineering

CASS•E

• 2. The Team:

Support & Facilities

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• 1. Prof Cullen, Cranfield University:

Lead Supervisor, Bioscience facilities and support.

• 2. Dr Roberts, Cranfield University:

Workshop facilities and mechanical engineering support.

• 3. Mr Waller, Kent University:

Electronic engineering support.

• 4. Dr Pillinger, Open University:

PP&CC support and environmental test facilities.

• 5. Prof Sims, University of

Leicester: Environmental tests facilities,

systems design support.

CASS•E

• 3. The Experiment:

Overview

• Design based on

similar systems flown on stratospheric balloons.

• Fluorescent beads

to be sprayed as proxy for contamination.

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CASS•E

• 3. The Experiment:

Process Flow

Pre-Launch

• 1. Design, assembly

and testing

• 2. Cleaning and

sterilisation*

• 3. Shipping to launch

site

*With continuous measurement of contamination throughout process

Flight

• 1. Biobarrier opens in

stratosphere

• 2. Pump draws air

through filter collecting bacteria

• 3. Valve closes to seal

system during landing and recovery Post flight

• 1. Shipping to

Cranfield

• 2. Recovery of filters

in cleanroom environment

• 3. Assessment of

contamination present on filters

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CASS•E

• 3. The Experiment:

Results

• 1. Delivery of complete experiment.
• 2. Improved understanding of PP&CC

requirements for Stratospheric balloon missions.

• 3. Demonstrated PP&CC protocols.
• 4. Information about sources of contamination.
• 5. Microorganisms?

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CASS•E

• CAD drawings.
• Preliminary selection of components.
• Initial budgets.
• 4. The Design:

Status

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CASS•E

• 4. The Design:

Power

Note this is total power during flight, during ~2hours (standby mode just has sensors, heaters and board on).

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Components Quantity Time Current Voltage Power Total Vacuum pump 2 10 20 Latching solenoids 2 9 18 Foil Heater 3 2.5 7.5 PCB 1 2 2 Temperature Sensors 5 Pressure Sensors 2 H-bridge controllers for pumps 2 Bio-barrier opening mechanism Total 14 23.5 47.5 Total with 20% margin 28.2 57

CASS•E

• 4. The Design:

Mechanical

These mass estimates are based upon the Stratospheric CENSUS experiment flown

• n BEXUS 7.

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Components Quantity Total weight (Kg) Vacuum pump 2 3 Valves 2 1 Frame and covers 1 6 Electronics box 1 0.5 Ultra clean zone box 1 0.6 Piping 2 sets 1 Bio-Barrier 1 0.1 PCB & batteries 1 set 1 Sensors 1 set 0.5 Total 14 13.7 Total with 20% margin 16.44

CASS•E

• The dimensions are estimated to be 350 x 320 x

200mm.

• Need access to exterior to draw air in.
• Shock absorbers
• 4. The Design:

Mechanical

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CASS•E

• 4. The Design:

The Bio-barrier

• 2 mini bio-barriers made of Tedlar and Mylar over

the tubing exposed to outside air.

• Mechanism to open:
• Hot wire and spring loaded mechanism (JPL).

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CASS•E

• 4. The Design:

Budgeting

• £5000 from Cranfield University.
• Intend to approach companies for free components and sponsorship.
• Travel to conferences and workshops.

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Electrical Components Supplier Specs Product Number Quantity Price Total Vacuum pump 2 Latching solenoids 4 Temperature Sensors 2 Pressure Sensors 2 H-bridge controllers for pumps 2 Microcontroller 1 Batteries need to be advised 1 set Foil heaters 2 Total 15 Mechanical Components Supplier Specs Product Number Quantity Price Total Frame and covers 1 Electronics box 1 Ultra clean zone box 1 Piping 2 sets Bio-Barrier 1 Cabling 1 set Filters 6 Filter holders 6 Hand warmers 2 sets Total 16

CASS•E

• 5. Identified Risks:
• 1. Many risks negated by:
• Redundancy.
• Flight experience (our own CGN Stratospheric balloon

experiment and BEXUS’ CENSUS ’08-‘09).

• 2. Electronic Risks:
• Microprocessor fails, nothing starts up.
• Pressure sensor that dictates when bio-barrier opens

and pumps turn on fails (manual override from ground).

• 3. Power Risks:
• Batteries power pumps, bio-barrier and valves hence

need to perform extensive testing to avoid failure.

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CASS•E

• 5. Identified Risks:
• 4. Bio-barrier (single point failure):
• Bio-barrier loses integrity prior to reaching desired

altitude.

• Bio-barrier fails to open (single point failure).
• Designs to be based on bio-barriers developed at

JPL1, use of secondary opening mechanism.

• 5. Contamination due to structural damage during

landing and recovery:

• Very unlikely.

17 of 22 1) Salinas et al, IEEEAC paper # 1216, 2006

CASS•E

• 6. Testing:
• 1. Structural:
• Vibration (system integrity, especially bio-barrier).
• Testing of shock absorbers.
• Testing of the bio-barrier opening mechanism.
• 2. Thermal:
• Foil heaters (do they maintain working conditions?)
• 3. Electronics (low pressure & low temperature conditions):
• Batteries, pumps, valves, board and sensors.
• 4. Software:
• Control of valves and bio-barrier as well as sensors.

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CASS•E

• 7. Outreach:

1. Press releases. 2. Presentations and activities in local schools and community groups. 3. Cranfield University seminars. 4. Competitions for children. 5. Website (http://sites.google.com/site/cranfieldbexus2010/)

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CASS•E

• 8. Schedule:

Gantt Chart

Years: ‘09 ‘09 2010 2010 2010 2010 ‘1 1 Months: 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1

Application preparation Selection Workshop at ESTEC Final selection HW & SW Design Phase PDR at ESRANGE HW & SW Dev. Phase HW & SW Testing Phase CDR Final Check-up Phase Delivery of CASS•E to EAR Launch at ESRANGE Outreach activities Documentation preparation Submission of Final Report

CASS•E

• Analyse components in detail.
• Biobarrier design and testing as a priority.
• Establish procedures for assessing

contamination.

• Launch outreach programme.

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• 8. Schedule:

The next 6 weeks

CASS•E

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Thank you

CASS•E Misc Photos

Valves Beads

CASS•E

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Tempera perature e Surface 110 °C 115 °C 120 °C 125 °C Free and Mated 32 hr 18 hr 11 hr 6 hr Encapsulated 156 hr 90 hr 52 hr 30 hr

If a unit is to be subje compatible with the time temper subject to DHM mperature regim DHMR, material regimes given in terials must be iven in the table st be table above

DHMR Table