Space DebrisLaunch Readiness Review

Seanna Renworth, Emily Logan, Corey Godwin, Sean Murphy, Cole

Bostrom, Jonathan Kirchmaier

November 11th, 2008

Mission Overview

The high altitude BalloonSat “Space Debris” shall capture images of the stars at five different angles with the use of a mechanical platform. During this process the internal temperature of the Balloon Sat shall remain above zero degrees Celsius and the internal and external temperatures shall be monitored by a HOBO inside the BalloonSat.

Design Overview

Design Overview

Heater

Motor

CameraHB 25

Basic Stamp

HOBO

HOBO DATAIn-Class Mission Simulation

Dry Ice Test

External

Internal

Image Tests

• The imaging tests were successful in that the camera was able to focus on the mirrors. The window for the camera had to be enlarged so that it had a view of the bottom mirror. After this alteration the platform and camera worked together well.

Before Mod After Mod

System Testing: The Camera

• The camera was tested individually to test its ability to focus on the mirrors and take pictures at five different angles. These tests were successful.

System Testing: The Motor

• The motor system, consisting of the HB-25, the basic stamp 2, and the motor, was tested individually. The platform extended successfully.

Combined System Testing

• All the systems were run together and they were fully functional.

Structure Testing

Structure Testing

Space Debris Ready for Flight

Due to the fact that all individual and whole system testing was successful, the BalloonSat is ready for flight. Although the heater failed during the dry ice test, all other systems still functioned successfully, and the heater has been repaired.

Expected Results

• The team expects to receive clear pictures of the stars from five different angles

• The team expects to be able to identify stars in the images collected

• The team shall use the data will prove that an extendable platform obtains clearer pictures than a camera within a BalloonSat. The team shall compare the pictures received with previously taken pictures from a camera located within a BalloonSat. The team is going to use this comparison to try to prove that the use of an extendable telescope would provide better images than a regular telescope.

Biggest Worries

• TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!– Time is still our enemy– We are meeting many times a week for long

periods of time and we still feel like our satellite could be improved with more time

• Single Point Failure– If one part of the science mission

malfunctions then the platform may not deploy and the camera will then only take pictures in the BalloonSat.

Requirement Compliance

• Science– The team is making a mechanical platform with angled mirrors on the end. The camera will be

focused on the mirrors and shall obtain images of the stars in the near space environment.

• BalloonSat can be re-launched– The BalloonSat will undergo multiple tests to obtain the strength of the satellite. The mirrors will be

drawn back into the BalloonSat before landing so that the science could be redone with the same BalloonSat at a later flight date.

• Flight String– The flight string will be attached to the BalloonSat in the middle. The camera will be on one side

with the counter balancing weight of the other materials on the other side. The tube shall be made with non-metal tubing and secured to the box.

• Internal temperature above zero degrees Celsius– The team shall use insulation and a heater. A dry ice test shall be performed with the platform

extended to test the insulation and heater systems with cold air moving in.

• Weight– During the process of building the BalloonSat everything is being weighed. The weights are being

constantly added to be sure of the weight the satellite is at every step of the process. A weight budget has been made in order to give the team an idea of how close the BalloonSat is to the weight limit.

• Ascent and Descent Rates– In order to acquire the ascent and descent rates of the flight string the team shall retrieve the information from the GPS, provided

EOSS, located on the flight string.

• Measure internal and external temperature– The team shall incorporate a HOBO H08-004-02 into the design in order to test the temperature and humidity in the satellite, in the

mechanical platform, and in the outer atmosphere. The external temperature cable will be attached and will stick out of the satellite

by about an inch and a half to measure the external temperature.

• Camera– The camera will be used to image the stars with the mirrors on the end of the mechanical platform. The camera shall obtain pictures

at many angles due to the mirrors.

• Foam Core– The structure of the BalloonSat is being made with foam core in order to be lightweight and strong. \

• Spare Parts– The budget and parts lists include spare parts in case systems do not function or the tests break the systems.

• American flag– The team shall draw an American flag and write contact information on the outside of the BalloonSat.

• Metric Units– The team shall perform all experiments in metric units and shall record them as such.

• Launch Day– The whole team shall come to the launch day, Corey Godwin will launch the payload, and Emily Logan shall participate in the

recovery of the BalloonSat.

• No one shall get hurt– During the building process the BalloonSat and the systems are being tested with all the required safety measures. The

testing of the BalloonSat will be done in a safe environment with minimal people present. On launch day the team will wear proper clothing and shoes and the team shall only have one person holding the payload during launch.

• Return hardware– After using the hardware the team shall return all the materials.

• Ordering of Parts– During the ordering of the hardware the team used the teacher’s credit card. A detailed log was kept in order to try to

remain within the budget. The team had to spend an additional $22.08 in addition to the $150 budget. The receipts, with the team name on them, were given to the teacher in order to keep the budget organized.

• Receipts– When the team purchased materials individually the receipts were submitted for reimbursement within 60 hours.

• Having Fun– During the building process, the testing, and the launching the team shall have fun and will be creative in the satellite

design.

• No life in BalloonSat– Nothing living shall be flown in the BalloonSat.

• Final Report– After completion of the project a final report shall be made with a team video (that will be made through out the

project).