Date of Award
12-2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Departmental Honors
Department
Biological Engineering
Abstract
There are several physiological barriers to long-term space travel, including the effects of launch, landing, and microgravity on muscle cells. A payload capsule was designed to maintain cell growth during a high altitude balloon flight to model some of these physiological processes. Murine muscle cells (strain C2C12) were cultured and launched in a capsule on a balloon satellite in November 2016. Cells were monitored for changes due to temperature, flight motion, radiation, and gravity differences by quantifying cell characteristics before and after the flight using physical measurements and cell viability. Instruments were selected to monitor flight data, and a payload capsule was designed for cell survival by maintaining a constant temperature of 37°C and redistributing impact forces.
Recommended Citation
Dykes, Annelise, "Measuring the Effects of High-Altitude Flight and Upper Atmospheric Radiation on Muscle Cells" (2016). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 549.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/549
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Faculty Mentor
Elizabeth Vargis
Departmental Honors Advisor
V. Dean Adams