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We are working on a team with members from USA, Brazil, Ghana, Liberia, and the Philippines. We are extending the scope of last year's experiment to test the germination and growth rate in these countries. The video below illustrates a generic NASA balloon launch.
We are working on a team with members from USA, Brazil, Ghana, Liberia, and the Philippines. We are extending the scope of last year's experiment to test the germination and growth rate in these countries. The video below illustrates a generic NASA balloon launch.
Our STEM experiment is focusing on doing a research on the effects of outer space radiation on the germination and growth of plants. A sample of 2 different plant seeds (radish and collards) are being sent to outer space on a NASA scientific balloon and those seeds will be compared to the same batch that was kept on Earth. Tests are going to be conducted in all countries participating in our group.
Our STEM experiment is focusing on doing a research on the effects of outer space radiation on the germination and growth of plants. A sample of 2 different plant seeds (radish and collards) are being sent to outer space on a NASA scientific balloon and those seeds will be compared to the same batch that was kept on Earth. Tests are going to be conducted in all countries participating in our group.
On June 2, 2025, we prepared the cube with our experiment and it was sent back to Cubes in Space. Below is a picture of our experiment prior to sending. We were not able to put all 100 seeds of radish in one bag so we had to use two but this does not change the experiment.
On June 2, 2025, we prepared the cube with our experiment and it was sent back to Cubes in Space. Below is a picture of our experiment prior to sending. We were not able to put all 100 seeds of radish in one bag so we had to use two but this does not change the experiment.
The seeds were received by NASA and they were loaded in the module that will be attached to the scientific balloon as seen below:
We finally received the news that the flight was planned with launch from the NASA Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner, NM, USA. There are some requirements for the flight to actually happen such as:
Winds have to be under 5mph
There should be no rain on the forecast
After three tentatives, the flight was successfully completed on August 21. Here are the photos we were able to take on that day:
Flight telemetry at the beginning of the flight
Flight telemetry at the highest altitude reached: approximately 38 km
Flight telemetry at the end of the flight.
Total flight time: approximately 5 hours. Here are some data we research:
At an altitude of 38 km, the strength of solar radiation is very close to the intensity of solar radiation in space, or the "solar constant"
. This is because it is above approximately 99% of the Earth's atmosphere, which significantly reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface.
Key characteristics of solar radiation at 38 km:
Intensity: The total solar irradiance (TSI) at this altitude is approximately 1,361 watts per square meter (W/m2), which is the accepted value of the solar constant at Earth's average distance from the Sun. This is about 2.5 times more intense than the radiation that reaches the Earth's surface on a clear day.
Minimal absorption: At 38 km, the solar spectrum is nearly identical to the solar spectrum outside the atmosphere, with the exception of the ultraviolet (UV) bands. The vast majority of the atmosphere's water vapor, clouds, and aerosols are below this altitude, so they do not significantly scatter or absorb the incoming radiation.
Significant UV radiation: While most short-wave, high-energy UV-C radiation is absorbed by stratospheric ozone, less of the UV-B is absorbed at this altitude than at lower altitudes. As a result, the intensity of UV radiation is considerably higher than at ground level. This is because the ozone layer, which absorbs UV radiation, is concentrated within the stratosphere, mostly between 15 and 35 km.
"Near space" environment: A study conducted at 35 km described the solar spectrum as "highly similar to the solar spectrum outside the atmosphere, especially in the visible band". This suggests that a high-altitude platform at 38 km is an excellent substitute for testing space solar cells, as it accurately mimics the solar radiation conditions in orbit.
We are now waiting NASA to send us back the seeds so we can start phase 2 of our STEM experiment.
Here are some of the publications in the international media:
Ambassador Luiz Gustavo Gomes and mentee Barbara Rezende Martinelli on an interview to the local TV (August 28, 2025)
Props created for Press Release in Vitoria, Brazil, based on the real experiment (August 29, 2025)
Mentee Barbara Rezende Martinelli on an interview to the local TV (August 28, 2025)
Props created for Press Release in Vitoria, Brazil, based on the real experiment (August 29, 2025)
To contact me simply send me an email to haragutchi@gmail.com
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