Rapid Sample Transport in Austere Environments

In austere and inaccessible environments, transport of critical medical, chemical and/or biological samples can be difficult. In this SBIR Phase I, a technical feasibility trade space is used to evaluate technologies used to preserve biomolecules, such as DNA, RNA, and bacterial at room temperatures; transport samples from austere locations to safe recover areas, recover samples after precision delivery to any specified location; establish a transport command, control, and monitoring system. In the feasibility trade space, key technology components and parameters are analyzed and rated for how well they support meeting technical objectives. The output of the trade space is a feasibility rating for each concept evaluated. System components evaluated include processes, methods, and equipment used to collect biological samples; methods and equipment used to store biological samples; use of balloons to transport samples using wind motion from austere locations to safe areas for recovery; use of guided parafoils to deliver samples to specified locations with GPS accuracies; a near real-time command and control system with world-wide coverage using SATCOM. The sample storage method is simplified by storing at room temperatures. Transport is simplified by using custom latex balloon capable of lifting a variety of system weights to selectable altitudes.