PASCAL

Team Lead - Brooke Lynn - bal0019@uah.edu

The Payload for Atmospheric Sampling & Chemical Analysis from Lightning (PASCAL), was created as of September 28th, 2024. PASCAL is a reusable balloon payload that can take multiple small air samples from within and around a squall line thunderstorm. The system consists of a pump, six PTFE sample bags, solenoids, and a NO2 sensor, which allows up to six samples to be taken in a single flight. These samples will then be analyzed by a ground-based optical spectrometer.

We are utilizing the data in four ways: 1. Studying the production of NOx to provide insight into natural factors that affect atmospheric composition as NOx concentration in thunderstorms is connected to a cycle of natural pollution initiated partly by lightning. 2. Gathering data on LNOx to validate the 2023 TEMPO satellite with payload data by corroborating retrievals into vertical profiles. 3. Drawing correlations between lightning intensity and LNOx production to numerically determine the severity of thunderstorms using long term data. 4. Driving forward research into applications for engineering in atmospheric science.

Balloon Launch with Thunderstorm in Background

Interested?

CONTACT:
Brooke Lynn
Bal0019@uah.edu

PASCAL NO2 Graph PPBV

This year, PASCAL successfully passed MRR and will showcase its work at two major events: presenting a poster at the TEMPO/ACX Meeting in Boston this August and delivering a presentation at the NWA Annual Conference in September. Throughout the fall, the team will continue flying missions in thunderstorms, publishing research on our findings, and refining our payload in preparation for future research campaigns.