For several years, Orbital Technologies (ORBITEC) has had keen interest in the development of a portable fire suppression system intended for use in commercial spaceflight applications. With the aid of recent developments in fine water mist (FWM) atomization technologies, and partnerships with the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, work is commencing to develop a portable fire extinguisher (PFE). The extinguisher will be capable of operation in both gravity and microgravity environments regardless of orientation, and eliminate the use of toxic carbon dioxide as a fluid suppressant. The extinguisher will take advantage of the unique physics of microgravity to better suppress fires compared to previously used equipment. The following report outlines baseline research into the historical precedence of spacecraft fires, and common modes of fire ignition in microgravity. From this information we investigate design considerations necessary for the construction of a prototype PFE, as well as the market value of such a device.

The objective of the 2014 Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) Collegiate Rocket Competition was to design a one-stage high-powered rocket that could accurately reach an apogee of 3,000 feet and then be recovered timely and safely and in a flyable condition. The competition also required two methods of determining velocity through the use of onboard electronics.Overall, the performance in the 2014 WSGC Collegiate Rocketry Competition was a success. The rocket used for competition, Pioneer -I, reached an apogee of 3094 feet. The time took to recover the rocket was approximately ten minutes. The apogee reached and recovery time, combined with our presentation, design report, post-flight report, and educational outreach services put us into first place for this year's competition 1 .

For several years, Orbital Technologies (ORBITEC) has had keen interest in the development of a portable fire suppression system intended for use in commercial spaceflight applications. With the aid of recent developments in fine water mist (FWM) atomization technologies, and partnerships with the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, a portable fire extinguisher (PFE) prototype has been developed and constructed. Thecommercial extinguisher is capable of operation in both gravity and microgravity environments regardless of orientation, and eliminates the use of toxic carbon dioxide as a fluid suppressant. Preliminary testing of the PFE prototype has demonstrated promising discharge ranges and rates at various pressures. Testing has also confirmed the prototype’s ability to extinguish stored energy fires, in the form of lithium ion batteries.

Over the past ten weeks, the payload team for the Elijah High Altitude Balloon Project has researched, designed, and constructed a scientific payload that would fly to the edges of space and gather data advancing the team’s knowledge of Earth sciences, aerospace sciences, and aerospace engineering. The payload packages consisted of a sensor suite, telemetry system, Geiger counter, and camera. The telemetry system was able to provide a live data feed that interacted with existing networks to record data acting as a proof of the concept that a similar system would be viable and even suggested for future teams. The sensor suite was designed to gather data that would provide tracking data and finalize the battery experiment. While the tracking sensors were unsuccessful the thermistors and voltmeter reported data that confirmed that the various electronic components onboard were kept within their operating temperatures and gave data on the battery performance inflight. The Geiger counter data that was gathered was not able to be directly correlated with an altitude, it was able to be correlated with time, and as all data points received were on the ascent of the balloon it is possible to state that there was a positive correlation between radiation levels and altitude. The camera system that was included in the payload was able to record the entirety of the two flights and provided imagery from the edge of space. A large amount of the project was also devoted to the development of a rugged and reusable capsule; this task was accomplished by the creation of a layered capsule wall that insulated the capsule and gained increased rigidity due to the geometry of the capsule and an internal rib cage that supported plates for the electronics.Â