Empirical Modeling of Launch-to-LEO Accelerations for Mechanical Characterization of Organoids

Abstract The commercialization of orbital launch services and the resulting drop in payload cost are allowing more research to be conducted in microgravity. Biological experiments in this field require sealed enclosures with controlled onboard environmental conditions and complex ancillary circuits, sensors, microfluidics, etc. In order to successfully conduct experiments in microgravity, the research platform and its test subjects must survive the violent accelerations encountered while being launched on a rocket into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Developing detailed mechanical models to predict the physical behavior of biological subjects under complex launch forces is exceedingly difficult. Moreover, biological materials are transient by nature, presenting further hurdles to establishing accurate models. For these reasons, numerical dynamic simulations typically used in engineering against failure in high- or variable-g environments will not suffice; a means of empirical simulation is necessary. The following is a review of the existing efforts to meet this need. Further, the design and analysis of a dynamic simulation platform to empirically test the effects of high-acceleration launch regimes on LEO-bound research platforms will be discussed. The research and design work towards BLAST (BOARDS Launch Acceleration Simulation Tool) seeks to achieve the stated goal using a 7-foot beam centrifuge with a swing-bucket design. Rotation will be controlled such that the resultant acceleration experienced by its payload will closely mimic what the payload would experience during launch to LEO.