Discovering Life in Unexpected Places
The Aera Project is a program aimed at researching the upper stratosphere for microbial life
Our Scientific Aspect
What are We Looking For?
The main goal of the Aera Project is to analyze sample taken from 90,000 feet above sea level. Using our innovative retrieval system, the goal is to find small microbes or bacterium surviving in this perilous region of space. Several studies have discovered small lifeforms in this rather unknown ecosystem. While the conditions would kill humans, it can be hospitable to certain types of lifeforms.
The plan is to deploy an autonomous sampler. The Capsule will carry four to five samplers that will collect anything from dust, fungus and bacteria at several altitudes.
What Altitudes are We Probing?
The samplers will test several altitudes, each looking for something different.
Altitude A- 13,000-15,000 feet: Just three miles above us, this altitude is alive with life. Bacterium picked up by winds actually play are large role in cloud formation. However, not a lot is known about these lifeforms and their migratory patterns. The Aera Project will test this altitude to study where these microbes come from, look for their genome, and accurately map their movements.
Altitude B- 29,000-30,000 feet: Almost everyone has been in this region of the atmosphere, and you don't have to climb Mount Everest to reach it. Indeed, most commercial jet liners fly at this height, and could leave a lot of microbes flying around. This is also where the Jet Stream is, and it is possible dust and fungus from the Caribbean flies at this height. The Project wants to capture these microbes and learn more about their great journey and how they adapt to the harsh conditions.
Altitude C- 50,000-55,000 feet: Here, most life would not survive. The pressure is low, and UV radiation too strong. However, some studies show life does exist at this height, and finds very interesting ways to adapt. We plan to further research done here with our own.
Altitude D- 90,000+ feet: In the early 2000s, British scientists discovered several lifeforms at this height. The US Navy, and dozens of our groups have done their own research, and found similar results. Most of the time however, the research was unable to find what type of life it actually was. We intend to change that by identifying the life through its DNA, and culture it.
Our Missions
The Aera Project will launch three to four missions in 2015; each designated for our scientific operations. Using high altitude weather balloons, our capsules will reach over 100,000 feet and have a flight time of anywhere between 2 to 3 hours. The missions will fly over the New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
AM-3e: Our unscientific mission, AM-3e will capture the breathtaking views of Earth at 100,000 feet. The Mission will carry a Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera, a premier top of the line cinema camera, a Go-Pro, and a Contour Camera. Each aimed at a different angle, the Mission will get the Sun rising off of the Atlantic Ocean during the morning hours. We certainly cannot wait for its footage!
Launch Date: March 28th, 2015
Weight: 4-5 pounds
Projected Altitude: 100,000 feet (30,200 meters)
Duration: 3 hours 10 minutes
AM-4r: Our first sample return operation, the 4r will carry the atmospheric sensors and four sampling chambers carrying a Agar culture. At a coordinated time, a computer will dictate the opening of each chamber for a period of time. Once complete, the system will shut until reopened in a lab. The chambers will be airtight and disinfected before launch to ensure no contamination of lifeforms found on Earth will be made.
Launch Date: November 2015
Weight: 8 pounds
Projected Altitude: 98,000 feet (30,000 meters)
Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
AM-5: A repeat of AM-4r in order to create scientific accuracy, AM-5j carry the same payload as the 4r.
Launch Date: November 2015
Weight: 8 pounds
Projected Altitude: 98,000 feet (30,000 meters)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
AM-6: Most likely our final mission, the 6 will carry the same payload as the 4r, double checking our findings. This will add scientific accuracy to our findings earlier.
Launch Date: November 2015
Weight: 8 pounds
Projected Altitude: 98,000 feet (30,000 feet)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes