ASTRABAX – Scientific results of two stratospheric balloon flights
- The ASTRABAX experiment ("Aschaffenburg Stratospheric Balloon Experiment") uses a multimodal platform to study radiation exposures in the upper atmosphere. We present a modular approach to accommodate the numerous setups under the weight restriction of light unmanned free stratospheric balloon. The compartmental setup allows flexibility to address current research questions with low expenditure in costs, manpower and technology expertise. Its easy implementation is suitable for educational purposes of students in the fields of astronomy, astrobiology, and material research. Recently, two stratospheric balloons were flown to test the feasibility and connectivity of different building blocks in a temperature-controlled gondola, and to characterize the stratospheric radiation environment.The focus of the physical experiments is the observation of the UV-C spectral region using miniature UV-VIS spectrometers, and cosmic ray dosimetry with a Geiger counter. A second set of experiments assesses the effects of irradiation on polydopamine coatings intended for the application in space-born X-ray telescopes. The platform also contains samples of biological cells that are simultaneously exposed to low-dose radiation of different compositions of particle, X-ray and UV radiation. Post-flight nanoscopic measurements aim to examine changes in the spatial chromatin organization playing a crucial role in DNA-repair mechanisms. Investigations in such natural environment are of importance for high altitude atmospheric as well as space flights, for comparable exposures on other objects of the solar system and for astrobiology.
| Author: | Thorsten DöhringORCiD, Lucia Krivanekova, Georg HildenbrandORCiD |
|---|---|
| Parent Title (English): | 18th Pico- and Nanosatellite Workshop 2025, Abstracts Book |
| Publisher: | Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg |
| Place of publication: | Würzburg |
| Document Type: | Conference Proceeding |
| Language: | English |
| Year of Completion: | 2025 |
| Date of first Publication: | 2025/11/24 |
| Creating Corporation: | TH Aschaffenburg |
| Release Date: | 2025/11/26 |
| Tag: | UVC; atmosphere; cosmic ray; radiation; stratospheric balloon |
| GND Keyword: | Stratosphären-Ballon; Kosmische Strahlung; Röntgenspiegel |
| Volume: | 2025 |
| Page Number: | 1 |
| First Page: | 17 |
| Last Page: | 17 |
| Urheberrecht: | 1 |
| Institutes: | Fakultät Ingenieurwissenschaften und Informatik / Studiengänge / Internationales Technisches Vertriebsmanagement (Bachelor) |
| Research Focuses / Research Horizons: | Materials / Material Testing & Sensor Technology |
| Reviewed: | nein |
| Licence (German): |
