Strata-2P - The Stephen W. Hawking Center for Microgravity Research and Education

The Strata-2P Experiment

Strata-2P is a parabolic flight experiment program designed to advance testing capabilities and test tools for upcoming lunar missions. The experiment focuses on understanding the mechanical interactions between the particles that make up granular materials (e.g., rock, sand, dust) in variable gravitational accelerations prescribed by a parabolic flight aircraft. This project has applications to planetary surface studies, such as those focused on the Moon and asteroids, and is relevant to both human and robotic exploration missions such as the upcoming NASA Artemis and VIPER missions. The results of the Strata-2P experiments will offer insights into how the geometry of the grains, like shape and size, and varying gravitational effects contribute to how granular materials pack and settle during planetary exploration activities. Read more about the Strata-2P experiment.

Teacher-in-Residence Program

This project piloted a unique Teacher-in-Residence program gave four K-12 teachers a hands-on opportunity to participate in the research project and develop classroom activities suitable for their students. The program supported four teachers with stipends for a total of eight weeks. For four weeks over the summer, teachers worked directly with the research team to gain experience with programming microprocessors, image analysis using Python, data analysis and visualization, and device fabrication. Teachers participated in the research flights, as well. During the school year the teachers developed, piloted, and shared lessons for engaging students in the project. See the Strata-2P for teachers page.