Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments
Platform for Sampling the Atomospheric Microbiome
ALPE has partnered with the Docherty Lab in Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University to develop a platform for sampling of microbial communities at varying levels of the atmosphere. The goals for ALPE on this NSF funded project are:
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Develop and integrate a sampling mechanism for a tethered device that will be 30 m and 150 m above the ground
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Develop and integrate a sampling mechanism for a launched device that will be 5000 m above sea level
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Ensure no contamination of samples before or after sampling period
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Design and build zero pressure balloons that can reach 5000 m
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Implement sampling mechanism on released and tethered platforms
HeliKite used for tethered sampling
For more information on the Biology side of the project, visit The Docherty Lab website