Our project consists of building a satellite to which we have given a scientific objective in keeping with the context of our city and the problems it faces: measuring the concentration and density of dust particles in the air and
different types of allergens to determine the air quality in the area and its environmental and health consequences.
To do so we have carried out a series of studies to obtain the information needed to interpret correctly the data we will receive and reach a conclusion about the state and quality of the air in the area.
Consequently, to carry this out, our device incorporates a dust sensor that will detect the density of allergens and polluting particles in that area, and we will distinguish them by particle diameter, identifying the impact on the health of an allergic person.
To gather information on grass pollen and PM10 particle levels in our town, Algeciras, we have looked at several local websites that make forecasts and measurements with “qualified” equipment, in order to
compare them afterwards with our device and sensor.
However, from what we have seen, all of them quote data with no scientific basis, because the parameter they follow is not specified and they use a scale with no unit; consequently we can neither take these measurements as a reference nor consider them valid. That is why with our satellite we try to provide data with a reliable scientific basis and method, so that we can draw environmental and health conclusions about our city and then take whatever measures are needed.
We will therefore use our dust sensor to make our own measurements and set the theory aside.
We already have data from three areas: Palma del Río, Zaragoza and Algeciras, to compare with each other, based on the weather conditions of each environment that explain these data.
Unlike last year, and as a novelty for this edition of Servet, we have included an ionising radiation sensor in our satellite. Ionising radiation is a type of energy released by atoms in the form of electromagnetic waves (gamma rays or X-rays) or particles (alpha and beta particles or neutrons). This radiation is one of the biggest problems when sending satellites or spacecraft into space, as it is really dangerous and occurs in large amounts in space.
