A Collaborative Edge-of-Space Mission to Reconnect Our Lost Year
Mission : Reconnect 2020
Earth background : NASA
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We lost 2020 to COVID.
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The world entered lockdown, halting all international or local interactions.
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Isolation severely affected:
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International research collaboration
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University training
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Elementary and secondary school communities
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“Mission: Reconnect 2020” is a cross-border, cross-discipline, cross-skyline collaborative project, symbolizing our resolve to restart the globe. And simultaneously, to embolden the visions of Malaysia and Taiwan’s young generation.
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The mission is:
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An edu-exploration flight to the edge-of-space led by ASARe Lab and AeroTech Lab of National YangMing-ChiaoTung University (NYCU) with University Sains Malaysia (USM).
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This flight is a journey of “hope” encompassing research instruments, collegiate engineering product and elementary/secondary school work.
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A joint mission of Taiwan, Malaysia, the U.S. and more.
Two balloon capsule flights with research and student payloads to 25,000m.
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Feb-June 2021: Engineering and payload preparation.
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May 2021: Elementary/secondary school space-camp outreach.
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Aug 2021: Launch date (with Dec 2021 back-up).
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Capsule and team travel to Malaysia for integration.
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Launches and livestreams.
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Interactions and workshops with local teams.
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Aug-Sept 2021: Recovery and analysis.
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Sept 2021: Presser and memorabilia mail-out to sponsors and participants.
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Oct-Dec 2021: Research data analysis and project debrief.
OUR
INTERNATIONAL
TEAM
Dr. Tan Zu Puayen
Asst. Prof. NYCU
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Founder of “Boleh Rockets” and consultant to Equatorial Space Systems (Singapore).
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Launched: Malaysia’s largest rocket + SE Asia’s first privately-developed hybrid rocket.
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Featured in Nanyang, Sin Chew, SpaceTechAsia and other news.
Dr. Lua Kim-Boon
Assoc. Prof. NYCU
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Leads award-winning Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle teams at NYCU.
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Winner of green energy competitions.
Dr. Norilmi Amilia Ismail
Sr. Lecturer USM
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Successful HAB launches.
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Cubesat and space expertise. Renowned in Asian space community.
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Founder and president of Malaysia Space Initiatives (MiSI) NGO. Founder of SpaceIn startup.
Research
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NYCU ASARe: Development of lightweight, flight-ready 3D camera systems. ASARe core-tech. Results empower aerospace and medical research.
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NYCU ASARe + U.S. Auburn University + Texas A&M (tentative): Study of parachute dynamics for future Mars and human space missions.
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NYCU: Validation of long-distance comm tech for rocket, drone and other uses.
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USM: Validation of new sensors. (tentative)
Tentative
MISSION
Participants
College
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Student engineering teams at NYCU: Development of balloon capsule and payload system.
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Student High Altitude Balloon (HAB) Team at USM: Space Systems Lab, women in engineering, student-led space start-up.
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Joint NYCU-USM HAB workshop under UNISEC Malaysia's framework.
Socio-Edu
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Hero's Journey elementary school workshop with Acton Academy Malaysia.
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Tentative collaboration with Malaysian and Taiwanese STEM teams.
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Engagement with NYCU outreach office.
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Student works on a journey to the edge of space.
Flying Aug 2021
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Inviting sponsors and participants on this symbolic mission to reverse COVID-19's year of isolation.
Donation link: https://my.nctu.edu.tw/contents/project_ct?page=6&p_id=23
Tax-deductible in Taiwan.
Contact: Tan Zu | tanzu@nctu.edu.tw
for logo featuring, donation receipts and queries.
JOURNEY SUPPORTERS (so far)
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS (so far)
侯文成 盧姵君 江玉娟 林玲慧 張愉珠 李景修 蔡尚霖 林小鳳 沈建成 黃柔蕙 鄭芳齡 李珮雯 邱心唯 徐敏芳 蔡皆得 張哲豪 陳瑾怡 鄭登凱 陳玫君
(ordered chronologically in system)
ON-GOING JOURNEY
Stories of people we meet and things we achieve along this unfolding adventure.
July-August 2021
LAUNCH WINDOW
Feb, 2021
Project Initiated!!!
May, 2021
Testing of Research Cameras
Reconnect 2020's capsule will carry miniature research cameras to characterize the fluid and structural dynamics of the balloon envelop and parachute at high altitude, contributing to a critical field in modern aerospace science.
Mar 5, 2021
UNISEC Malaysia's NYCU-USM High Altitude Balloon Workshop
Joint workshop on the basics of high altitude balloon design and operation. Conducted by USM's Dr. Norilmi.
Mar 26, 2021
Rockets and The Hero's Journey Workshop with Malaysia's Acton Academy
A fun sharing session with Acton Academy's elementary students ("Eagles") on space, rockets, and the power of setting of on your own life adventure.
Conducted by Prof. Tan, at the invitation of Acton KL founder Dr. Ewe.
Apr 13, 2021
Finalization of Capsule Structural Design
9U volume in 2x2x2 + 1 dual-layer configuration.
Carbon-fiber + metallic struts for max flexibility, strength and min weight.
Apr 29, 2021
Fund-Raising Experience-Sharing Session
A cross between "Leishan Heroes" x "Aerospace Heroes":
I am immensely grateful to be given this opp to share the vision of [Team Reconnect 2020] and to resonate our belief in the Hero's Journey as a timeless template for growth.
May 17, 2021
Flight Computer Design and Component Acquisition
Design of our flight computer and sensor suite completed. Components arriving by parts.
May 25, 2021
Completed stress analysis and detailed design of capsule core structure
Arrival of raw materials for fabrication.
