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2013 Spring Space Grant: Testing Viability of bacteria at high altitude

2013 Spring Space Grant: Testing Viability of bacteria at high altitude . Presented at the Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium April 20, 2013 Aurora, CO Team Charlie: Aaron Bartelt Stacie Noetzelmann Philip Jurney Jeffrey Rascon

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2013 Spring Space Grant: Testing Viability of bacteria at high altitude

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  1. 2013 Spring Space Grant:Testing Viability of bacteria at high altitude Presented at the Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium April 20, 2013 Aurora, CO Team Charlie: Aaron Bartelt Stacie Noetzelmann Philip Jurney Jeffrey Rascon Supervisors: Dr. Victor Andersen & Tom Dillon

  2. Project Goals & Mission • We used the climate at 30 km above the Earth's surface as an analogue for the environment on the surface of Mars. • We tested for the viability of spore-forming bacteria species in such conditions. • Team Charlie also took pictures of the horizon, measuring G-forces, humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure experienced throughout the flight.

  3. Requirements • Mass Budget • < 850g • Financial Budget • < $250.00 • Arduino • Accelerometer • Analog Temperature Sensor • Digital Temperature Sensor • Pressure Sensor • Humidity Sensor • Camera • Ceramic Heaters • Actual Mass • 789 grams • Remaining Budget • $0 (All went to biology department)

  4. Potential Application • Currently NASA has been conducting similar research into the possibility of life from earth surviving in extraterrestrial environments. Recent theories speculate on the use of extremophiles as possible organisms for use on Mars. This idea is present throughout the article “Meet Conan the Bacterium Humble microbe could become The Accidental (Space) Tourist” (http://scienence.nasa.gov/science- news/science-at-nasa/1999/ast14decdec99_1/_). Further research can be found at “Exploratour: Life on Mars?” (http://www.nasa. gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/mars_life_feature1 015.html) This offers an introduction into what conditions life would have to undergo in order to sustain itself on the Martian surface. However, it does not simply say life would be on the surface, further reading shows life could survive underground where water and energy may still be present (Mars Exploration Program (http://mars. jpl.nasa.gov/progammissions/science/goal1/).

  5. Initial Experiment Bio • DNA Sequencing • Couldn’t look at all the DNA • Petri-Dish Size • Had larger dishes originally • Found 60mm dishes instead • Spore forming bacteria

  6. Initial Experiment Tech • Geiger counter • Too heavy • UV sensor • Not proper wavelength • Two Arduinos • Added too much mass

  7. The Design Process

  8. Final Design • Our final design was in concept similar to previous designs • The only major changes that were made were with sensors for the Arduino and in the end we flew two temp sensors, humidity sensor, accelerometer, and a pressure sensor. Outside Inside

  9. Arduino and Heater Circuit

  10. Testing Plan

  11. Testing • Stair Test – Passed • Drop Test – Passed • Whip Test – Passed • Cold test – Passed

  12. Launch Day

  13. Results • Our camera stopped taking pictures after about 30 min. • Arduino ran for the entire mission and gathered all our data.

  14. Bacteria Results • Both species of bacteria were viable after exposure! • Further testing will determine if any differences can be found between the experimental and control groups.

  15. Humidity

  16. Pressure

  17. Temperature

  18. Acceleration

  19. Future Applications • Knowing that these bacteria can survive the harsh conditions we presented to them we can conclude that they may be capable of surviving on Mars. As we explore more and more of our solar system it is important to avoid cross contamination of other planets. We may bring life to a planet that didn’t have it before.

  20. Questions?

  21. References • “Meet Conan the Bacterium Humble microbe could become The Accidental (Space) Tourist” Science at NASA, Web, Dec 14, 1999, < http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/1999/ast14dec99_1/> • “Exploratour: Life on Mars?” Science at NASA, Web, Sept 15, 2003, <http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/mars_life_feature_1015.html> • “Earth Microbes on the Moon” Science at NASA, Web, Sept 1, 1998, <http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/1998/ast01sep98_1/). > • Endospore image: http://micro.cornell.edu/cals/micro/research/labs/angert-lab/bacterialendo.cfm

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