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Microgravity experiment system utilizing a balloon
Abstract
A system for microgravity experiments by using a stratospheric balloon has been planned and developed in ISAS since 1978. A rocket-shaped chamber mounting the experiment apparatus is released from the balloon around 30 km altitude. The microgravity duration is from the release to opening of parachute, controlled by an on-board sequential timer. Test flights were performed in 1980 and in 1981. In September 1983 the first scientific experiment, observing behaviors and brain activities of fishes in the microgravity circumstance, have been successfully carried out. The chamber is specially equipped with movie cameras and subtransmitters, and its release altitude is about 32 km. The microgravity observed inside the chamber is less than 2.9 × 10−3 G during 10 sec. Engineering aspects of the system used in the 1983 experiment are presented.
... This free-fall provides the microgravity conditions that is required for the experiment payload. There are usually on-board sensors to measure the capsule's acceleration [15], there could also be: cameras, subtransmitters [16] and a cold-gas propulsion system could be controlled to actively cancel the aerodynamic drag acting on the capsule. These make it to be advanced electronics and propulsion systems. ...
... Observing behaviors and brain activities of fishes in microgravity circumstance have been successfully carried out using this platform transmitters [16]. The limitation is that only a certain mass of payload could be tested using this method. ...
... These are similar to the findings using cichlid fish larvae in parabolic aircraft flights that revealed age and species-specific differences, and researchers are continuing to test the best species of fish to use as protein for long-term space missions [42]. Observing the brain activities and behaviors of fishes in microgravity have been successfully carried out using the transmitters in balloon platform [43]. ...
There can be gravity variation by transition from one gravity type to another. Transition can be from earth's gravity (1g) to microgravity (µg) by achieving weightlessness or to hypergravity using centrifuges. Therefore, gravity transitions of experimental samples are possible from gravity (1g) to microgravity or to hypergravity (>1g). Such experiments are feasible on biological organisms (humans, animals, plants, cells, microorganisms) and biological macromolecules (lipid, nucleic acids, proteins) subjects. In this study, an overview of the effects of microgravity impacts by utilizing terrestrial microgravity platforms/facilities for life sciences are reviewed. Vital deductions with examples for experimenting under terrestrial microgravity platforms: using human and animal subjects gives more knowledge on their physiological responses to survive in altered-gravity for long-term periods; has positive effects on the biochemical make-up of plant tissues; makes the reactions of cells to changing gravitational-fields to be dependent upon cell-type and length of exposure; makes some promise appear for microorganisms as regards the applications to the production of antimicrobial-agents; allows lipid demonstration in cellular membranes and stress-responses; most nucleic acid reactions are witnessed in gene-expression activating or deactivating certain instructions for cell function; and higher quality and quantity of protein-crystals happen that leads to more efficient drug-development. The terrestrial experimental method's cost is fairly low and much more affordable, with experimental convenience compared to the space-laboratory microgravity methods. Furthermore, some experiments that are needed to be launched in space and require testing can be pre-tested in terrestrial microgravity. Without getting into the outer-space; the benefits of terrestrial microgravity research cannot therefore be overemphasized. Globally, the research on theoretical space-based research and development cases recommend that businesses could potentially gain in billions USD to several more billions USD in profits from the space-based domain. Hence, this discussion gives an inclusive evaluation on potential market-value of space-based microgravity platforms and its associated businesses only if the terrestrial microgravity platforms for research and development are given better attention as the spaced-based access is scarce. Therefore, there is a need at the grassroots level, the government and businesses/academia-experts (scientists, scholars) to initiate several terrestrial microgravity resource explorations sensitizations and campaigns.
... A payload dropped at high altitude experiences free fall that can simulate microgravity for 3-30 seconds. [2][3][4] Orbital platforms can provide microgravity time for days to years. Platforms include research satellites, free-flying capsules, and space stations. ...
Partial-gravity experiments are essential for research in space science and biology. To explore the influence mechanism of partial gravity on plant growth on the ground, a cyclical simulation method of partial-gravity environment based on double inclined and horizontal planes is proposed, analyzed the variation of simulated gravity with time and established the evaluation mechanism of combining the maximum gravity acceleration with the ratio of hyper-gravity time. The experience is conducted with the method of energy compensation considering the energy loss. Taking 1/2g, 1/3g and 1/6g three kinds of partial-gravity environment as research objects, the comparison over parameters is carried out ranging from velocity, rising height, ratio of hyper-gravity time to gravity acceleration before and after energy compensation. The parameter collaborative optimization method of inclined and horizontal plane gravity simulation device is formed. This method provides technical services for long-term manned exploration on the Moon and Mars in the future.
To provide details concerning stratospheric balloons, this chapter first presents a breife summary of the composition of the earth’s atmosphere and air movement within the atmosphere. Up-to-date meteorological data both prior to launch and during the flight are essential for ensuring safety during a flight, as are forecast predictions. Collection of upper-air data obtained by objective analysis and numerical prediction is described. The utilization of these data for numerically simulating balloon flight paths is also mentioned. Next, common on-board instruments used for balloon flight control are described. We then explain how balloons are launched and how their flights are controlled. The facilities for balloon launching and radio tracking of balloons are introduced. In addition, the materials and manufacturing processes for balloon membranes are presented. Rubber balloon technology for meteorological observation is also described. Typical examples of balloon utilizations in various science and technology fields are mentioned at the final section.
Current microgravity experimentation techniques can be expensive and difficult to perform. However commonly available latex high altitude balloons, frequently used for meteorological measurements, can provide a much simpler and more cost effective approach to achieving microgravity conditions. This project aims to develop a reusable, easy to use and low cost alternative for undertaking microgravity experiments, using a capsule carried aloft by a helium weather balloon. From an altitude of over 25km the capsule is separated from the balloon and free-falls towards the Earth, providing the microgravity conditions required for the experiment payload. By using on-board sensors to measure the capsule's acceleration, a cold-gas propulsion system is controlled to actively cancel the aerodynamic drag acting on the capsule. Current simulations suggest that microgravity conditions of up to ±10-4g can be achieved for up to 16 seconds. A two-stage parachute recovery system is then deployed to safely recover the capsule and experimental data. This design concept combines the fundamental simplicity of high altitude latex balloon-drop microgravity techniques with advanced electronics and propulsion systems sourced from common off-the-shelf consumer products, in order to refine experiment conditions. Test results have demonstrated a proof-of-concept of the propulsion system by static testing and the wind tunnel testing of the recovery system parachutes has validated modelling. The project team will soon undertake flight testing of the capsule prototype. By minimising costs with readily available components, this experiment platform has applications not only for scientific research into the impact of microgravity on other behaviours, but this system can also support and motivate science learning in education and outreach programs while appealing to the inspirational value of space. By using this platform, schools and universities have the potential to involve students in the construction and launch of the system, as well as inexpensively perform student experiments to investigate microgravity conditions.
To provide long duration and good quality of micro-gravity environment with moderate cost, we proposed and have been developed an experiment system that is released from a high altitude balloon. The experiment system has a double-shell drag-free structure and it is controlled not to collide with the inner shell to realize good quality of micro-gravity environment. This paper shows the configuration of the experiment system and summarizes its five-year development including three flight test results. The fist stage of the development was successfully completed this year. The next step is micro-gravity fall with engine for longer duration of experiment. Another direction of the development is real operation of the system for micro-gravity scientists. Those future plans are also described.
In this paper is presented a microgravity experiment system utilizing a high altitude balloon. The feature is a double shell structure of a vehicle that is dropped off from the balloon and a microgravity experiment section that is attached to the inside of the vehicle with a liner slider. Control with cold gas jet thrusters of relative position of the experiment section to the vehicle and attitude of the vehicle maintains fine microgravity environment. The design strategy of the vehicle is explained, mainly referring to differences from the authors' previous design. The result of the flight experiment is also shown to evaluate the characteristics of the presented system.
Rocket-shaped vehicle is developed to conduct microgravity experiment by dropping from the high-altitude balloon. Its design strategy and development status is introduced. Also, the result of its 2nd flight test is summarized to show the feasibility of the balloon-based microgravity experiment.
We describe a system of capacitive transducers applied to two free falling objects with the aim of detecting differential accelerations due to nonNewtonian components. The two objects have a cylindrical shape to minimize the systematic errors and they fall in a microgravity condition inside a vacuum tube released by a stratospheric balloon at an altitude of 40 km. The calibration of the capacitive transducers performed in laboratory has shown that it is possible to detect differential accelerations Δa ≲ 1.4 × 10-10 m s-2.
Hypogravic effects or behavior and brain activity of carp in a balloon microgravity experiment
- G Mitarai
- S Mori
- A Takabayashi
- S Usui
- J Nishimura
- M Namiki
G.Mitarai, S.Mori, A.Takabayashi, S.Usui, J.Nishimura and M.Namiki, Hypogravic effects or behavior and brain activity of carp in a balloon microgravity experiment, Proc. ISTS, 14, in press (1984)
Microgravity system by using stratospheric balloons (II)
- Namiki
Hypogravic effects on behavior and brain activity of carp in a balloon microgravity experiment
- Mitarai