The M.E.G.A. experiment designed for this flight campaign was created and developed by students in Bradley Neu’s High School Astronomy class At Lubbock High School. Lubbock HS became a N.E.A.T.School (Education Astronaut Project) working with NASA.
The purpose of involving high school students and teachers in the C9 Program is to allow them to perform scientific research in a true scientific setting. By experiencing the process of the scientific method, students will be encouraged to future their academic pursuits in science, technology, and mathematic engineering.
This Experiment will determine the effect of microgravity and hyper gravity on the growth of sodium acetate crystals. Our hypothesis is: The crystals grown in microgravity will have fewer defects, grow more quickly, and produce more heat than those grown on Earth or in hyper gravity. There will be a still photographer as wall as a videographer onboard the flight.
Project equipment that will be brought on board the aircraft include:
- Base board
- Reusable hand warmers
- 2 friction sealed containers
- high speed cameras
- Dell laptop computer
- Zipper-locked Bags
- And Safety equipment
No human subjects are being used in this project. Potential hazardous concerns were sodium acetate chemicals and heat at lift off. However, temperatures of the warmers do not exceed 115° F, a safe temperature; the sodium acetate fluid is food grade; therefore decreasing chances of potential dangers. This experiment is safe and has no safety hazards to the crew or equipment aboard the C9.
Back to Home