2013-2014 Boise State University Microgravity Research Team

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

My Experince: Carl Barcroft

5:00 PM

Carl, Monkey, and Bat checking on the experiment

My experience was amazing, although at the beginning I didn't think it would be. We had some issues with our brain cavity leaking and I was initially worried that I would be spending the entire flight trying to mitigate this problem. However, it turned out that while our experiment leaked slightly, the precautionary measures that we took with installing hazmat absorption pads worked as intended and provided a worry free environment. I really enjoyed looking at the data we were collecting during the transitions to microgravity. The real-time graphs showed that our experiment was not only working, but also collecting useful data that will contribute to a great final report.

The feeling of microgravity is awesome and comparable to skydiving, but unlike skydiving you don't have high speed wind ripping across your body and face. I hated the idea of taking the scopolamine before the flight. I'm not into taking drugs that aren't absolutely necessary. The drug initially made me dizzy, unable to focus, and drowsy but once we started the parabolas in the airplane, I felt great. While I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten sick without the drug, I'm glad I came out of the experience without the wooziness that you typically get from a day of riding rides at the fair. The flight was awesome and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would recommend this experience to anyone who has the opportunity.

My Experience: Roxanne Stone

4:00 PM

Before Flight Expectations

Today is Wednesday, June 11th.

My morning started with a team lead meeting at 7:45am like it has all flight week. Except today it was different, it not only started with the Geico "Hump Day" commercial, but at the end the director of the Reduced Gravity Office said "it's also flight day."

After every engineering challenge, not only in Houston, but throughout the last year I just feel pure excitement to have finished our experiment and have this opportunity.

As Cady Coleman said this morning -- "What can go wrong, always does and will" and after feeling like it all went wrong, our Experimental Apparatus is loaded on the plane and ready to collect real data.

I'm so excited to be able to test our experiment and experience zero gravity that words cannot truly describe my feelings.

~

Post Flight Reflection

WOW -- What an amazing hump day!

With each parabola (or hump in today's case) my body changed with the gravitational changes.

As the engines of the plane roared and the plane climbed to the top of the parabola, gravity increased and my body was pulled down by such a strong force I couldn't move any part of my body. The only thing to compare it to is the Graviton Ride at the fair.

Then the engines would become quiet as the plane nosed down the parabola and my body would release from the floor of the aircraft. The feeling of floating and having the ability to fly or sore through the air is amazing. Every little movement of my body created a force stronger then the gravitational force I was surrounded by. I have nothing to compare this feeling to, it was truly amazing and a one of a kind experience.

On top of the great experience, our experiment collected good data!!!

Thank you RGO, Dr. Leimkuehler, and Dr. Barney Smith for never giving up on this team and project!! This is a great program and learning experience for undergraduates and I will carry these lessons and memories with me forever.

Flight Week: Day 3- Flight Day 1

3:00 PM Flight, NASA, Research, Zero G

Today is the day!!!

Our apparatus was successfully mounted and the RGO approved us for flight!

Test Readiness Board

Apparatus on the plane

Carl, Roxanne, and Dr. Leimkuehler donned their flight suits and boarded the aircraft.

Everyone else stayed behind in the hanger and tracked the flights progress.

As soon as Carl and Roxanne got off the plane they said that the apparatus collected data! We look forward to seeing the GoPro Camera footage and the photos from the flight. Look forward to seeing Carl and Roxanne's flight reflections coming soon!

Flight Week: Day 2

5:39 PM

Day 2 was a rough day! We were all running on very little sleep and then we were at the Hanger from 7:30am until 4:30pm.

At least the Test Readiness Review we had in the morning went well!

Early this morning during our pre-flight test our system developed a leak that we were unable to repair. The team had to quickly come up with a plan to reduce the leak in our system. With the help of the RGO Staff and our NASA Mentor, we were able to come up with a solution. We decided to eliminate the pump in order to reduce the pressure it created in the system that was intensifying the leak. After we came up with our solution we encountered another problem! The mounting rails that had been lost by Southwest, then found, no longer fit the apparatus while mounting to the plane. Our structural mentor, Mallory, came in and provided guidance to help us make our mounting rails work.

We left the hanger with our apparatus ready to be mounted and with our bodies ready for sleep. Once we returned to the hotel the boys passed out and Dr. Barney Smith took a nice long nap. Roxanne, Libby, and Jill worked on making changes to the TEDP and the Structures Report. We ended the night with a dinner at Boondoggles with some Boise State Alumni. Libby made sure the team left at 9:30pm sharp, so that everyone would be ready for flight tomorrow!

Flight Week: Day 1

5:37 PM

After a long night the team made it to JSC Ellington Field by 7:30am. We were greeted by the Texas A&M team and soon met the other teams from Buffalo SUNY and Northern Florida. After a Welcome and Safety Briefing the team had a successful Pre-Test Readiness Review.

NASA Engineers asked the team really great questions about the safety of our apparatus.

The boys and our NASA mentor Dr. Leimkuhler

The team made a quick stop at Home Depot to pick up a few last minute items before we went back to the hotel. Jill and Dr. Barney Smith took a short power nap before dinner while the team worked on the apparatus. Then the boys took a nap on the ride to dinner.
The BSU team met the other teams and the RGO staff at Red River BBQ for a group dinner. Yummy Texas BBQ!

After dinner the team worked hard and long to get the apparatus ready for flight.

Arriving in Houston, Texas

3:38 PM

On June 8, 2014 after 5 hours and 5 minutes of plane napping, the Boise State University Microgravity Research Team arrived in Houston.

The two flights were smooth, and all but our two mounting rails arrived with us.

However, nothing is stopping us from assembling our apparatus in the Homewood Suites conference room. Once we arrived at the beautiful Homewood Suits by Hilton Hotel, we began reassembling the apparatus. We began at 2:00 pm and worked on it for more than 12 hours!