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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1965. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-44).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1971. / Bound typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2008. / "December, 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-95). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

The National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF) conducts scientific balloon flights. Scientific payloads ranging from a few hundred up to several thousand pounds suspended weight are flown over the southern United States. People living in these areas are subject to risk from these operations. A model has been developed to predict the risk associated with the ascent phase of a balloon operation. This model includes all of the significant factors that affect ascent phase risk. The model is automated in a computer program whose input contains all of the parameters and factors for a particular mission. The results of this model can be used to advise management personnel of the risk level for a particular balloon mission. This model can be used as a long range planning tool or on the day of launch to determine whether the mission risk level is acceptable. / Master of Science

Uncovering the nature of dark matter is one of the most pressing problems in 21st century cosmology. Despite overwhelming evidence that dark matter exists and vigorous experimental efforts to detect it, dark matter has evaded detection and its fundamental nature remains shrouded in mystery. Indirect dark matter detection experiments search for Standard Model byproducts of dark matter annihilation or decay. At low energies, cosmic antideuterons provide an especially clean dark matter signature, since the production of low-energy antideuterons from conventional astrophysical processes is highly suppressed. The General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS) is an Antarctic balloon experiment designed to search for low-energy cosmic antinuclei as signatures of dark matter. GAPS is optimized to detect low-energy antideuterons, as well as to provide unprecedented sensitivity to low-energy antiprotons and antihelium nuclei. GAPS uses a novel approach to detect antinuclei, based on the formation, decay, and annihilation of exotic atoms. At least three GAPS long-duration balloon (LDB) flights are planned, with the first launch date anticipated for December 2022. The core of the GAPS instrument is a particle tracker, comprised of >1000 lithium-drifted silicon (Si(Li)) detectors, that provides particle tracking and X-ray spectroscopy capabilities. In order to preserve the long-term performance of the tracker, the Si(Li) detectors require a surface passivation coating to protect against environmental contamination. In this thesis, I cover four main areas of my research: prototype Si(Li) detector fabrication and performance evaluation; development of a surface passivation technique to ensure the long-term stability of GAPS flight detectors; calculation of the GAPS antihelium sensitivity using particle tracking; and prediction of the antihelium exotic atom X-ray energies and yields for future identification studies. I discuss the prototype fabrication work that was carried out at Columbia, which led to the successful mass-production of large-area Si(Li) detectors for the GAPS LDB flights. I report the research and development of a surface passivation method to protect the GAPS flight detectors from environmental contamination. I then describe the calibration scheme for the GAPS Si(Li) detectors, and a simulation study that I conducted to disentangle the contribution of Compton scattering and intrinsic detector performance on the observed spectra. I then move on to discuss the simulation studies used to determine the performance capabilities of GAPS. I describe the benchmarking of the hadronic annihilation products in antinucleus-nucleus annihilations in Geant4. I review the exotic atom cascade model used to determine the X-rays produced by antiprotonic and antideuteronic exotic atoms, and discuss my work extending this model to describe the de-excitation of antihelium exotic atoms. Finally, I present the first GAPS antihelium nuclei sensitivity study, based on full instrument simulation, event reconstruction, and realistic atmospheric influence simulations.

The aim of the research documented in this thesis was to explore issues associated with the development of instrumentation for life detection and characterisation in a planetary exploration context. Within this aim, the following objectives had to be achieved: 1. To consider current and near-future single molecule detection (ultra-low lower limit of detection) analytical techniques that would be compatible with development into a Space qualifiable in situ analytical instrument for the detection of biomarkers in a planetary exploration context. 2. To practically consider the consequences of Planetary Protection and Contamination Control on the development of a sample return instrumentation in a planetary exploration context. 3. To consider the implications of flying an in situ instrument on-board a stratospheric balloon platform in order to apply them into a specific planetary exploration mission: In order to achieve the objectives described above, the following work was pursued:  A desk-based European Space Agency (ESA) study was carried out which entailed producing a literature review on single molecule detection technologies that had to be validated by the expert community. This was done by organising an International Workshop on Single Molecule Detection Technologies for Space Applications in March 2009 at Cranfield University, UK. The approved technologies then had to be analysed with standard analytical techniques (i.e., tradeoffs) in order to propose a specific technology for development and present its breadboard implementation and test plans at the end of the study.  A sample return experiment implementing PP&CC constraints and protocols was designed, built, tested and flown on-board the ESA, Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), Swedish National Space Board (SNSB) and German Space Agency (DLR) BEXUS stratospheric balloon platform. The biological and engineering results obtained from the sample return flight were then analysed and lessons learnt obtained for future flights.  Another desk-based study was performed to research future stratospheric balloon platforms for the exploration of Venus’ cloud layer. The in situ instrument previously proposed for the detection of biomarkers for planetary exploration missions was then put forward as a possible payload for a Venusian stratospheric balloon platform and approved by experts during the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) conference held in August 2011 in Washington D.C, USA. The first part of the research involved studying ultra-low lower limit of detection technologies as these have the potential to impact significantly on the technological and scientific requirements of future Space missions. Two systems were proposed: one based on Tandem Mass Spectrometry (with Cylindrical Ion Trap analysers) followed by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering spectroscopy to create an MS/MS-SERS instrument for the detection of astrobiology biomarkers in Martian regolith, Europan ice and samples from Titan’s hydrocarbon lakes; and a second one as a Stand-Alone SERS system for the detection of biomarkers in Enceladean plumes, Venusian clouds and cometary coma. The second part of the research practically explored the design of instrumentation for stratospheric balloon platforms. CASS•E, the Cranfield Astrobiological Stratospheric Sampling Experiment, was a life detection experiment that aimed to be capable of detecting stratospheric microorganisms. The experiment consisted of a pump which drew air from the Stratosphere through a 0.2 μm collection filter which retained any microorganisms and >0.2 μm particulates present in the pumped air. Due to the expected rarity of microbes in the Stratosphere compared to the known levels of contamination at ground level, Planetary Protection and Contamination Control (PP&CC)constraints were introduced. Therefore PP&CC protocols were followed to implement Space qualified cleaning and sterilisation techniques; biobarrier technology was implemented to prevent re-contamination of the instrument after sterilisation; and cleanliness and contamination was monitored throughout assembly, integration and testing. The third part of the research demonstrated how an instrument from the first part of the study could be proposed as a payload on-board a stratospheric balloon platform with a focused mission context, i.e., a life detection mission for Venus. Therefore, the research concluded with the proposal of a payload for a Venus mission based on SERS technology on-board a stratospheric balloon platform to search for life above or in the mid Venusian cloud cover.

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The main aim of this diploma thesis was to work out a feasibility study. This work was defined by the tourism located in the Trebon area. Next important aims were the opportunity identification at the tourism market in the Trebon area, the determination of the right technical and funded protection of this project and finally the definition of the financial side of the project. The market tourism opportunities in Trebon area were determined by a market exploration which was provided by the questionnaire from my bachelor thesis. I defined the best product of the tourism market which was based on the analyses. By that product, it was the service in sightseeing flight in a hot air balloon. There are some options of the funding. For my project it could be a grant from the South Bohemia region for small and medium business or the grant from the Southwest Regional Operational Program NUTS II in session 2007 ? 2013. Next possibility could be the cooperation with the sponsors.