1. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 1 Cosmic Ray Experiment Team Cosmic Jace Boudreaux Allen Bordelon

2. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 2 To build a balloon payload that will measure radiation intensity as a function of altitude up to 100,000 feet and to compare this with electrical conductivity results from team Jupiter. This may have a relationship to electrical conductivity of the atmosphere which could be related to the cause of lightning. Mission Goal

3. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 3 Measure amount of ionizing radiation in the atmosphere as a function of altitude. Distinguish between high and low energy radiation particles as a function of altitude. Coordinate results with team Jupiter. Analyze measured data. Science Objectives

4. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 4 Design and build an electrical system that can: ▫ Withstand atmosphere conditions up to 100,000 feet ▫ Count the number of radiation hits as a function of time ▫ Measure the energy of a radiation particle as a function of time ▫ Monitor temperature and pressure to make sure it is in range of sensors ▫ Record collected data and retrieve using a program Technical Objectives

5. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 5 Two Classifications of Cosmic Radiation -Primary -Any high energy particles originating from outside of earth. -Secondary -High energy particles that result from collisions of primary cosmic rays and molecules in the atmosphere. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/Astro/cosmic.html Cosmic Radiation Cascade Science Background

6. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 6 Cosmic Radiation as a Function of Altitude http://laspace.lsu.edu/aces/teams/2002-2003/FLUX/FLUX.php Expected Results -As altitude increases, cosmic radiation increases until a peak is reached -As altitude increases, energy of the comic rays will increase Science Background

7. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 7 To measure rate of ionizing radiation in counts/minute as a function of altitude To measure the energy of radiation particles as a function of altitude. Science Requirements

8. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 8 Payload will be attached to a balloon rising at 1000 feet/min Altitude will be measured by a separate payload Radiation will be measured using a radiation detector. Three types of radiation detectors are – Geiger-Muller Counter – Semi-conductor radiation detector – Scintillation counter Technical Background

9. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 9 https://kemifysik.wikispaces.com/file/view/Geigert%C3%A6ller.png/34627667 Geiger-Muller Counter When radiation hits, it produces electrons that create a current pulse Technical Background

10. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 10 http://nsspi.tamu.edu/NSEP/basic_rad_detection/semiconductor/image1.jpg Semi-conductor Radiation Detector Radiation strikes semiconductor, producing free electrons and holes proportional to radiation energy Free electrons and holes travel to electrodes producing a current pulse Technical Background

11. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 11 http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/images/dect2.gif Scintillation counter Radiation enters and is absorbed by scintillator crystal and produces light proportional to initial energy Photomultiplier tube amplifies this light and produces a current pulse Technical Background

12. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 12 Take sample rate in counts/minute every 1000 feet. Store a time stamp and count number for each radiation count sample. This will require 4 bytes per measurement. Condition a voltage value to the range of the ADC (0 to 3 volts) of the BalloonSat for each energy proportional voltage pulse. Store a voltage value and a time stamp on the BalloonSat for each energy proportional voltage pulse. It will use 4 bytes per measurement. Technical Requirements

13. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 13 Convert a current pulse into a voltage pulse. Payload needs to withstand temperatures between -70 °C and 50°C Temperature and pressure need to be recorded to ensure sensors are in a workable range. Balloon payload should be less than 500 grams. Payload cannot exceed 3 oz/inch 2 on any side Technical Requirements

14. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 14 PDR – Feb 9 th, 2010 Design - System, Electronic, Flight Software, Mechanical Pre-CDR – Mar 9 th, 2010 Prototyping - Electronic, Flight Software, Mechanical Data Processing and Analysis Plan CDR – Mar 30 th, 2010 Finalize Pre-CDR FRR – May 4 th, 2010 Flight Payload Component Fabrication and Integration System Testing and Calibration Payload Launch – May 25 th, 2010 Flight Operations Final Presentation – May 27 th, 2010 Data Processing and Analysis Project Timeline

15. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 15 Questions?

16. Cosmic v12/1/09Cosmic Pre-PDR 16 Project Gantt Chart