Gannon University's Cosmic-Ray Calorimeter (GU-CRC) (GU-CRC)

A payload is proposed to detect cosmic rays, high-energy particles of astrophysical origin, in the energy range ~1-100 GeV. An interdisciplinary team of science and engineering undergraduate students at Gannon University, with oversight from two faculty advisors, will complete the payload design, construction, integration, and launch. Energy determination will be facilitated by a six-layer, sampling calorimeter with a thickness of ~12.5 radiation lengths. Primary cosmic rays will interact inside the calorimeter, creating a cascade of secondary particles that will deposit energy in each layer. A charge detector will be employed to distinguish protons from helium nuclei, the two most abundant cosmic rays types. This charge detector will be segmented to minimize charge-measurement contamination from upward-going secondary particles in the calorimeter.
Gannon University Team Receives National Recognition Problem Statement Cosmic rays are high-energy particles of cosmic origin, primarily consisting of completely ionized hydrogen and helium nuclei. A balloon-born detector to study these particles will be constructed by an interdisciplinary team consisting of faculty and students from the sciences and engineering from Gannon University. The Balloon flight will be used to deploy this payload to an altitude of 120,000 ft. During flight, the payload will collect charge and energy data on incident protons and helium nuclei in the energy range from ~1 to 100 GeV with the aim of measuring the proton-to-helium ratio as a function of energy. This information will provide insight into the acceleration and propagation history of cosmic rays. The payload will also be using a relatively new technology called silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), which convert light into an electric signal, similar to a traditional photomultiplier tube (PMT), but without requiring high voltage.

Develop undergrad interest in STEM (particularly aerospace technology) for the benefit of future employers and the overall scientific community by: Providing an opportunity for undergrad research experience. Gaining laboratory skills, general understanding of technology development, presentation skills. Increasing overall interdisciplinary knowledge and collaboration

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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