Balloon EXperiment for University Students
Dec 22, 2021
This year was quite something for me.
Last post I’ve written was about the stratospheric balloon mission my science club conducted in preparation to the BEXUS (Balloon EXperiments for University Students) mission from Esrange, Sweden. Since then the mission has been postponed to 2021, and it finally has happened in September this year!
Just to remind you, the experiment we are conducting is of microbiological nature. It’s called “SimLE Stardust”. We’re trying to catch microorganisms from the stratosphere and examine their DNA in search of mutations and characteristics that allow them to survive in harsh stratospheric conditions. We talk higher levels of cosmic radiation, lower pressure and temperature and other factors that make them more robust than earth-bound microorganisms. Our previous missions resulted in cataloging some previously unknown families of bacteria. The research shows great prospects and we hope to write a scientific paper about it.
I was beyond excited when we finally headed out to Esrange Space Center with the experiment ready for launch. After 2 years of work prolonged by the global events, we were finally ready. It wasn’t a perfectly constructed experiment, but we did what we could to make it work.
The campaign took 2 weeks during which we conducted some last minute checkups and fixes and then integrated and tested the systems with BEXUS vehicle. The liftoff took place September 30th at 7:00 AM local time. The vehicle lifted off smoothly and achieved flight altitude of 27.3km. After 6h of flight the mission has been terminated and the gondola of the balloon safely landed in Finland. Our experiment has been transported back via helicopter and the microbiologists on our team secured the samples for later research.
The flight resulted in 4h of filtering time of stratospheric air. While the main experiment was in the stratosphere we also had a copy on ground, which filtered the air for reference.
The entirety of program which is run by Swedish, German and European space agency is an amazing experience to be had. We went through the entire life cycle of a typical space mission from the conception of the scientific idea, verification of the assumptions, through construction of the experiment and in the end launch from a real space center.
It is a truly European endeavor - the BEXUS vehicle is constructed by the Germans, launched by Swedes and the experiments are coordinated by the international European Space Agency.
During the campaign I’ve met the most amazing people from entirety of Europe. Brilliant students from different universities created some amazing scientific equipment. The workers at the Agencies are a true inspiration and motivation to work within space industry.
So far this was one of the most experiences in my life, and I hope it is not the last!