Structural and thermal design of a particle detector for aerospace use

Roque, Nuno Miguel Martinho

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/7208

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Authors

Roque, Nuno Miguel Martinho

Advisor(s)

Batista, Fernando da Conceição

Simões, Fábio Jorge Pereira

Abstract(s)

In 2018, a three-month long flight campaign on NASA’s ER-2 High-Altitude Platform (based on a modified Lockheed U-2, "Dragon Lady” single-jet engine, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft) was flown. One of the objectives of the campaign was the detection of high-energy gamma rays, generated in thunder clouds, called glows and TGFs (Terrestrial Gamma Flashes). For the purpose, a high energy particle detector was developed, as a part of the ALOFT instrument suite. The mission was a success and resulted in several articles and conference presentations. After the success of the first mission, a decision to fly a second campaign in 2021-2022 was made and the financing secured. For that second campaign a new design particle detector will be needed, with significantly superior scientific performance characteristics. In order to develop the new particle detector instrument, this project propose specifications based in the ER-2 and other relevant standards, that will conduct to the best design. With this work was developed the new instrument, i.e., was created an 3D model, verified, and analysed critical structural parts/components and production drawings were made. It was intended validate the instruments through tests, but unfortunately was not possible to produce the new components during the timeframe of the project.