The Hypothetical Journey
Our CanSat will begin its journey aboard a rocket. Once the rocket has exited the atmosphere and has entered low earth orbit, the satellite will be deployed. From there, a laser array will strike the cans "laser sail", accelerating the can to the desired velocity. From there it will travel towards its destination exoplanet. It will be slowed down by means of the "laser sail" acting as a solar sail and using photons from an exoplanets star to rapidly decelerate.
Once the CanSat has slowed down to a reasonable speed within the exoplanets atmosphere, it will begin its detection for life. The various sensors on the CanSat will begin to transmit its findings back to earth and the camera on-board will snap pictures of the planets landscape, allowing for an in depth study of its topography. The two main molecules that we hope to find on each exoplanet together are those of oxygen and methane. When determining life's existence on another planet, we must first eliminate all other explanations for the existence of certain molecules. Here on Earth, oxygen in the atmosphere comes from living things, but is also produced by inorganic chemical reactions. This is where the methane sensor comes into play. Oxygen breaks down methane into various chemical reactions. Without a constant source of methane, the methane in a planets atmosphere would very rapidly deplete.
Therefore, if we were to find a planet that contained both oxygen and methane simultaneously, it would very possible that life may exist on this planet. To test this hypothesis, the CanSat can be deployed from a high altitude within earths atmosphere. Oxygen and methane are both present here and so is life. By scanning earths molecules, we can get an idea of how much methane and oxygen may be present on a planet that withholds life.
We are near certain that our method is much more effective than the current most popular method of bio-signature detection; spectrometery. Spectrometery can be ineffective when the planet in question is very close to a source of great brightness - its nearby star. This can make it difficult to discern which molecules the planet in question actually withholds. Our satellite does not have this problem. It is capable of landing on the planet and from there giving a much more accurate reading of the molecules around it.
Once the CanSat has slowed down to a reasonable speed within the exoplanets atmosphere, it will begin its detection for life. The various sensors on the CanSat will begin to transmit its findings back to earth and the camera on-board will snap pictures of the planets landscape, allowing for an in depth study of its topography. The two main molecules that we hope to find on each exoplanet together are those of oxygen and methane. When determining life's existence on another planet, we must first eliminate all other explanations for the existence of certain molecules. Here on Earth, oxygen in the atmosphere comes from living things, but is also produced by inorganic chemical reactions. This is where the methane sensor comes into play. Oxygen breaks down methane into various chemical reactions. Without a constant source of methane, the methane in a planets atmosphere would very rapidly deplete.
Therefore, if we were to find a planet that contained both oxygen and methane simultaneously, it would very possible that life may exist on this planet. To test this hypothesis, the CanSat can be deployed from a high altitude within earths atmosphere. Oxygen and methane are both present here and so is life. By scanning earths molecules, we can get an idea of how much methane and oxygen may be present on a planet that withholds life.
We are near certain that our method is much more effective than the current most popular method of bio-signature detection; spectrometery. Spectrometery can be ineffective when the planet in question is very close to a source of great brightness - its nearby star. This can make it difficult to discern which molecules the planet in question actually withholds. Our satellite does not have this problem. It is capable of landing on the planet and from there giving a much more accurate reading of the molecules around it.
Payload/Sensors used
MPX4115a Pressure Sensor
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PressureThe pressure sensor used gives us a reading of the air pressure on a particular exoplanet. This also allows us to calculate the altitude of the CanSat, but only when being used on earth. We would take a lot of measurement in order to be able to calculate the altitude of the CanSat on another planet, and this isn't quite possible.
If air pressure was too low on a planet, it would be unsuitable for life. The blood of another species would likely boil. By comparing the air pressure on a planet that sustains life - earth, we can get some idea as to what the air pressure on a planet that may sustain life should be. |
Negative Temperature Coefficient Sensor
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ThermistorA thermistor's resistance changes with temperature. As temperature increases, resistance decreases (i.e. negative temperature coefficient).
We can use this property to work on temperature from resistance observed. If the temperature on an exoplanet is too high or too low, then it is unlikely to harbor life. However, it is still possible that small microbes may live in such regions. |
MQ5 Natural Gas Sensor
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Natural Gases SensorThe natural gas sensor gives us a reading of how much methane is in the atmosphere. Natural gas is primarily made up of Methane. As previously stated, oxygen breaks down methane in many chemical reactions. So, without a constant source of methane, the methane in a planets atmosphere would rapidly deplete (if it existed there in the first place). We can therefore judge from the readings obtained whether or not this planet accommodates life.
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XYOM300N Oxygen Senson
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Oxygen SensorThe main if only consistent source of oxygen on our planet is biological processes such as photosynthesis. Therefore it is most likely that any large concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere of an exoplanet would have to have been created by these processes. And due to Oxygen’s reactivity it would need to be constantly replaced and refreshed.
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Light Dependent Resistor
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LDR SensorAn LDR is a light dependent resistor. The greater the incident light intensity, the lower the resistance. This sensor detects the amount of UV light passing through the atmosphere. This radiation, in high quantities, is dangerous to living things as it can break chemical bonds but also facilitates the reaction between Oxygen and methane. A low level would also indicate the presence of an Ozone layer.
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