Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a sample carrier device. The sample carrier device includes samples and is mounted in the housing such that the samples are external to the housing. The apparatus further includes a sample cover mounted to the housing such that the sample cover and the housing enclose the sample carrier device. The apparatus further includes a sensor directed to the sample carrier device. The apparatus further includes a processor and a memory device storing instructions executable by the processor to initiate removal of the sample cover from the sample carrier device. The instructions are further executable by the processor to initiate capture of data by the sensor.

Abstract: A multi-stage solid rocket in accordance with this disclosure includes a first or primary solid fuel core that operates as a standard solid rocket. A secondary solid fuel core may be “wrapped around” the primary solid fuel core in a layered arrangement so as to use the same casing. The secondary solid fuel core can be configured with an insufficient amount of oxidizer to burn by itself or to be ignited by the primary solid fuel core during its burn. The oxidizer necessary to enable a secondary solid fuel core burn can be controllably released from a secondary source to permit variable thrust generation. Subsequent cores may be wrapped around prior cores and configured with insufficient amounts of oxidizer to be ignited by any prior core. The oxidizer necessary to enable any subsequent core burn may also be controllably released to permit variable thrust generation.