OLEDs help NASA focus space biology research
SporeSat will be used to host fundamental space biology experiments which will help to better understand biophysical mechanisms in space. With the help of the nanosatellite, NASA plans to research the growth of spores and their gravitational dependence.
The nanosatellite, which was launched using a Falcon 9 rocket, carries three BioCDs contained in two rotating assemblies and one stationary assembly. Three Lumiblade OLEDs are contained in the BioCDs.
When switched on, the OLEDs will help to initiate the growth of the spores. Three test compartments were aboard the satellite, two of the three are rotated by individual motors under software control to provide multiple centrifugal artificial gravity levels for the spores. The third one remained stationary, to provide a microgravity control experiment.
NASA used the OLEDs on the project because they are 0.07 inches thin, weigh just a few grams and emit the light in a homogeneous way over their complete surface. Another benefit is that the OLEDs only get hand warm, so heat which is normally associated with traditional light sources, does not cause a problem to the spores.
The centrifuges aboard the SporeSat spacecraft fit into the palm of your hand. And each of them contains one red Lumiblade OLED.
Whereas conventional satellites have easily the weight and size of a bus, the SporeSat is a nanosatellite only weighs 12 pounds and measures 14 inches long by 4 inches wide by 4 inches tall.
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