the project possum news: winter 2016

©2016 Project PoSSUM, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The Project PoSSUM News: Winter 2016

PoSSUM, an acronym for Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and

education organization that conducts research in our upper atmosphere and communicates the role of our upper-

atmosphere through its educational outreach programs.

Topics

PoSSUM Members secure $1.4M contract to study noctilucent clouds over Antarctica

PoSSUM Graduates complete first microgravity evaluation of commercial spacesuits

PoSSUM prepares for second phase microgravity spacesuit evaluations in July

PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Class 1601 Candidates to be selected in February

PoSSUM Academy to kick off in Minneapolis, MN this August

PoSSUM Graduates to attend inaugural Spacecraft Egress and Rescue Operations course

PoSSUM to study Noctilucent Clouds over Antarctica in 2017

PoSSUM Chief Scientist Dr. Dave Fritts and Executive Director Dr. Jason Reimuller were selected as part of a

$1.4M NASA-funded experiment, the Polar Mesospheric Cloud Turbulence (PMC-Turbo) experiment to study

atmospheric dynamics that can be viewed in exquisite detail by imaging PMCs at very high resolution. PMCs are the

high-altitude clouds believed to be sensitive to global climate trends that form only in the polar summertime near 82

km altitude. PoSSUM will work in partnership with GATS, Columbia University, and Integrated Spaceflight

Services on the PMC-Turbo project.

Dr. Dave Fritts will serve as Principal Investigator and will manage all aspects of the experiment. Dr. Jason

Reimuller will be responsible for camera system design and will participate with colleagues at GATS and Columbia

University in the system testing, integration, field operations, and data analysis efforts.

The images obtained during the campaign will be used to analyze how waves generated at lower altitudes dissipate

via instability and turbulence processes. These processes account for the deposition of significant energy and

momentum transported by the waves from lower altitudes. They also play key roles in weather and climate

throughout the atmosphere, but are poorly understood at present. Imaging of PMCs provides a unique window on

these processes that is not available at any other altitude. Thus, this largely inaccessible region has the potential to

educate us about important processes occurring throughout the atmosphere.

Above: NASA Research balloon identical to the one that will fly PoSSUM instrumentation


In 2016 and 2017, the team will be constructing the gondola and the camera, power, communications, control

systems, and associated interfacing software. The novel camera system to be used in the campaign will employ an

array of seven 50MP scientific camera systems to be configured for sustained operations in the Antarctic

stratosphere. The camera enclosures will be constructed by Integrated Spaceflight Services in Boulder, CO and be

shipped to Columbia University, where they will be integrated on the gondola before being shipped to NASA’s

Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, TX for testing and integration. The team will then deploy to

McMurdo Station, Antarctica in December 2017 to support launch and recovery operations

Following completion of the PMC-Turbo project, PoSSUM and the PMC-Turbo team plan to extend the balloon

imagery obtained in Antarctica with high-resolution tomographic imagery and coordinated in-situ measurements of

the upper atmosphere through use of next-generation commercial space vehicles as they become operational. For

this purpose, the cameras to be flown in Antarctica will be configured as the Wide-Field Imager (WFI) payload, one

of a suite of five payloads designed to produce tomographic imagery through a series of suborbital flights. Operators

of these instruments were trained at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL in 2015,

where candidates learned to effectively operate PoSSUM instrumentation to capture high-resolution tomographic

imagery of noctilucent cloud structures through simulated suborbital flight. The next class will be held April 9-13,

2016.

PoSSUM Graduates complete first microgravity test of commercial spacesuits

In October, PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut and Academy graduates completed the first microgravity evaluation of a

commercial spacesuit. The 3G IVA spacesuit, manufactured by Final Frontier Design (‘FFD’) of Brooklyn, N.Y.,

was tested through a series of four microgravity flights on a Falcon 20 research aircraft specially modified for microgravity

operations, in partnership with Integrated Spaceflight Services (ISS).

“This was the first step in an extensive test plan that will evaluate the FFD IVA spacesuit in conditions that best approximate the

environments in which they were designed to operate.” said Dr. Jason Reimuller, President of ISS, “This was a

complicated test protocol; we want to make sure that our methodology is well established before we advance to

other tests.”

According to ISS, the Falcon 20 aircraft was chosen for its exceptional quality of microgravity that best

approximates the orbital environment, as well as a cabin interior that best replicates several space vehicles being

produced. On each of the four flights, a series of parabolic maneuvers were conducted in which the test subjects would perform

range of motion tests, fine motor skills tests, seat egress and ingress tests, and assisted seat ingress tests. Onboard suit pressurization

and monitoring systems were also evaluated in flight.

The 14 participating Project PoSSUM graduates had all been previously trained in spacesuit and microgravity operations and

rehearsed in teams of five prior to flight. Spacesuit test subjects included Dr. Shawna Pandya of Edmonton, Alta; Callum Wallach of

Auckland, New Zealand, Gavin James of Daytona Beach, Fla., Deniz Burnham of Fairfield, Calif.; Dr. Ross Lockwood of

Edmonton, Alta., Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj of Boulder, Colo.; Michael Mastin of Ketchikan, Alaska; and Jim Kuhl of Syracuse, N.Y.

The tests were directed by Kari Love of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Dr. Jason Reimuller of Boulder, Colo.

"FFD is consistently impressed by the credentials and commitment of Project PoSSUM graduates. Data collected on

suit performance helps build our case on the road to human rating and spaceflight." said Kari Love, co-owner of

FFD.


Above: PoSSUM Graduate Ross Lockwood prepares for seat ingress testing in microgravity.

Project PoSSUM Members to Continue Zero-G Evaluations of Final Frontier Spacesuits in

July 2016

Twelve PoSSUM members will conduct the second phase of commercial spacesuit testing in zero-g environments

this April 2016. The experiment will be performed through a series parabolic (zero-G) flights provided by Integrated

Spaceflight Services (ISS) to further evaluate the Final Frontier Design (FFD) 3G IVA spacesuit in zero-G

conditions and extend upon phase-one tests that were successfully completed in October 2015.

The first phase of tests evaluated the test subject’s range of motion tests, fine motor skills tests, seat egress and ingress tests,

and assisted seat ingress tests through a series of four flights The second phase of tests will test a prototype seat, the suit/seat

interface, and a biometric monitoring system through a series of three flights. This test will also mature an in-flight suit pressurization

system.

“This second phase of testing will serve as a dry-run for a NASA-selected flight opportunity in which the suits will be evaluated

fully pressurized.” said Dr. Jason Reimuller, Executive Director of Project PoSSUM.

Last month, the FFD proposal, “Testing of a Novel IVA Space Suit” was selected by NASA’s Flight Opportunities

Program and FFD’s flight operations partner ISS has arranged a tentative flight date in Summer 2016 on a Falcon 20

research aircraft specially modified for microgravity operations. The Falcon 20 aircraft was chosen for its exceptional

quality of microgravity that best approximates the space environment, as well as a cabin interior that best replicates

several space vehicles being produced.

“The purpose of these tests is to increase our technology readiness level (TRL) through human testing in a high

fidelity, relevant environment. The results will be used to validate pressurized suit performance under live,

unpredictable conditions and further our milestone goal of flight safety approval from the FAA AST.” says Ted

Southern, President of FFD.


Project PoSSUM Graduates 22 Scientist-Astronaut Candidates to study Noctilucent Clouds

Project PoSSUM graduated its two classes of Scientist-Astronaut Candidates last October! The PoSSUM Scientist-

Astronaut program, designed by former NASA astronaut instructors and hosted by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical

University in Daytona Beach, Fla., provide its candidates with the skills required to effectively conduct research on

commercial space vehicles as part of an international research campaign dedicated to the study of global climate.

The PoSSUM candidates learned about upper-atmospheric and noctilucent cloud science while participating in

realistic mission simulations developed in partnership with Embry-Riddle. These simulations trained its candidates to

effectively use PoSSUM imager systems and instrumentation to study noctilucent clouds in suborbital flight.

Candidates also received comprehensive spacesuit training, high-altitude and hypoxia awareness training, and

aerospace physiology training with world-champion aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff.

The eleven candidates that graduated from Class 1502 include Richard Blakeman of Lakewood, Colo., Dr., Aaron

Persad of Toronto, Ontario, Dr. Pedro Llanos of Daytona Beach, Fla., Dr. Justin Karl of Orlando, Fla., Brian Thomas

of Helena, Ala., Kyle Foster of Centerville, Va., Christopher Macomber of Orlando, Fla., Dr. Michael Gallagher of

Edmonton, Alberta, Dr. Shawna Pandya of Edmonton, Alberta, and Troy Michael Cole of Everett, Wash.

The eleven candidates that graduated from Class 1503 include Dr. Ross Lockwood of Edmonton, Alberta; Todd

Kohorst of Cannon Falls, Minn., James Bevington of McDonald, Tenn., Callum Wallach of Auckland, New Zealand,

Dr. Akram Abdellatif of Munich, Germany, Casey Stedman of Orlando, Fla., Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj of Boulder,

Colo., Dr. Armin Kleinboehl of Long Beach, Calif., Michael Mastin of Ketchikan, Alsk., Dr. Blake Keller of Hilton,

NY, and Capt. Alex McHale of Enterprise, Ala.

“PoSSUM has exposed me to a number of specialty experiences that I wouldn’t have otherwise encountered in my

R&D efforts or civilian pilot training.” said PoSSUM Class 1502 Graduate Dr. Justin Karl, “Spaceflight simulations,

spacesuit operations, anti-G garments, aerobatic flight, and the effects of high altitude were neatly packaged so that I

could gain first-order competencies in a short period of time. In addition to better defining my capabilities as an

engineer and pilot, I have been able to add these valuable skills to a growing foundation that I hope to utilize on a

future spaceflight.”

The next PoSSUM scientist-astronaut class will occur at Embry-Riddle from April 9-13, 2016.

Above: 2015 PoSSUM Graduates originate from all six continents.


Brief Updates

PoSSUM Class 1601 set for 9-13 April 2016

There are three days left to apply to PoSSUM Scientist Astronaut Class 1601. This course will be held from 9-13

April, 2016 at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. This class will be limited to 12

participants. Interested persons should apply by 31 January through the PoSSUM website.

PoSSUM Academy Contract Established in Minneapolis

Project PoSSUM will be in Minneapolis this August 1-12, 2016 for the inaugural PoSSUM Academy course, where

24 lucky students will be able to learn about aeronomy through simulated PoSSUM missions. The program

continues to receive grants from local industry partners in the Minnesota metropolitan region and programs in

Colorado and Florida are being scheduled for later in 2016.

Twelve PoSSUM Graduates to study Spacecraft Egress and Rescue Operations

Hosted by Integrated Spaceflight Services, twelve Project PoSSUM graduates have been selected to attend the

inaugural ‘Spacecraft Egress and Rescue Operations’ course this April in Connecticut. This program is the first

professional education course offered by Integrated Spaceflight Services and it is being exclusively provided to

PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut and Academy graduates. Two additional courses are being developed and will be

offered in 2017.

Flight Test Team One (L to R): Shawna Pandya, Callum Wallach, Jonna Ocampo, Kari Love, and Heidi

Hammerstein show they have the Right Stuff.

Project PoSSUM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and education program. For more information, contact us at

[email protected].

the project possum news: winter 2016

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