11-06-2020 NASA Booms Lab Space: Molecular Beam Facility/Modular
Description of Request
Submitted By: John Sample, Physics
John Sample was recently awarded a large NASA balloon project, BOOMS (Balloon Observations Of Microburst Scales). This project is joint with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Dartmouth College, University of Washington , UC-Berkeley and UC-Santa Cruz. MSU is the lead institution and the site where integration of the entire payload must take place. The payload is expected to be approximately 60" x 60" x 110" and weigh more than 1,000 lbs. The lab building east of the police station previously had a garage door installed and it is still framed for one. It is large enough to assemble and test the BOOMS payload. It includes an overhead I beam that would allow for picking up the payload. This lab space is in the process of being vacated by Tim Minton. Sample's current lab space cannot accommodate this large of a project. Indeed, the payload once built could not fit out the current lab door or through any of the hallway doors around Barnard Hall. Additionally, Sample's current lab is mostly full with other active funded projects, student desks, technician space. There is no structure for a required hoist in current space. Some office space will be needed as well.
Resolution
Date: November 6, 2020
Space Management Committee, with support from Research Space Committee, approved the allocation of Molecular Beam Facility and an office in the south wing of the Molecular Beam Modular (room 102) for use for research and accommodating members of research team.