PASCAL
Team Lead - Brooke Lynn
The Payload for Atmospheric Sampling & Chemical Analysis from Lightning (PASCAL), was created as of September 28th, 2024. This payload will be collecting data on lightning-generated nitrogen oxides. PASCAL is a reusable balloon payload containing a pneumatic system consisting of a pump, six PTFE sampling bags, solenoids, and an NO2 sensor collecting samples at varying altitudes below, within, and above a thunderstorm, allowing the system to span the full range of atmospheric conditions. These samples will then be analyzed by a ground-based optical spectrometer. Together, these systems will ensure the accuracy of collected data by correlating data from the onboard sensor, ground spectrometer, and TROPOMI satellite. First flights for PASCAL payloads will be in March 2025.
Balloon Launch with Thunderstorm in Background
Interested?
CONTACT:
Brooke Lynn
Bal0019@uah.edu
PASCAL NO2 Graph PPBV
This year, PASCAL has passed PDR, and will be presenting in E-Week & Research Horizons. In the spring and summer PASCAL will be flying in thunderstorms, publishing research papers on our findings, and preparing our payload for future research missions.
Launch of a Radiation Detection Payload and
an Electric Field Meter
an Electric Field Meter
PASCAL_Eweek_Showcase.pptxPASCAL Project Poster E-WEEK 2025
HELEN%20Scientific%20Poster%20AGU%202022.pdf.pdfHELEN Project Poster AGU 2022