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Main Project Summary
Fungal spores, which are known to pose human respiratory health risks (e.g. respiratory allergies, asthma), are important contributors to the Microbiome particularly in the troposphere. Less is known about their potential to contribute to the stratospheric Microbiome. The proposed research seeks to design a CubeSat with a Removable Specimen Collector (refer to the CubeSat page) to determine if allergenic fungal spores can reach the stratosphere. Air samples will be collected at ground level, troposphere, and stratosphere levels through a Removable Specimen Collector designed within a CubeSat, which will be carried up through the different layers of the atmosphere by the Perlan II glider (find here information of the Perlan II project). The design and performance of the CubeSat hardware will be optimized through preliminary experimentation prior to launch. Through optical microscopy and image analysis, the concentration of fungal spores per cubic meter of air and proportions of specific fungal spore types will be determined and compared between the ground level, troposphere, and stratosphere levels. Our expected findings will provide insights into the contribution of allergenic fungal spores to the stratospheric Microbiome, and thus the potential of allergenic fungal spores to engage in long-distance travel through the upper layers of the atmosphere. (click here to find additional information about the project)
Find below links to more information about CubeSats and fungal spores:
Ongoing and recently-completed experiments
- altimeter testing
- synchronization of the altimeter and Arduino programming codes
- volumetric sampling with the CubeSat (at 1L and 5L per minute)
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