Download - spacegrant.colorado.edu · Web viewThe mission of Team Andromeda is to develop a BalloonSat with a payload that will collect data on ultraviolet radiation to serve a dual purpose:

Transcript

Colorado Space Grant Consortium

GATEWAY TO SPACE FALL 2012

DESIGN REVIEW A/B

TEAM ORION

Written By:Jack Oblack

Dylan AndersonEric HardwickDevon Connor

Evan LongJaevyn FaulkLucas IbarraAlexis Sutker

Project Andromeda

Table of Contents1. Mission Overview2. Requirements Flow Down3. Design4. Management5. Budget6. Test Plan, Safety, and Results7. Expected Results

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

1.0 Mission OverviewMission Statement:

The mission of Team Andromeda is to develop a BalloonSat with a payload that will collect data on ultraviolet radiation to serve a dual purpose: to allow us to compare our relevant data with past records of the sun’s activity, as well as find a correlation between altitude and strength of UV rays. We will determine how the solar activity has changed from eleven years ago – roughly one sunspot cycle – through the use of data from previous BalloonSat missions, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the UV-B Monitoring and Research Program at Colorado State University. We will also determine if there is a relationship between UV rays and altitude.

Mission OverviewAccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the

frequency of solar storms has been increasing in the last 3 years. This December and the beginning of 2013 is the peak of solar activity in the 11-year sunspot cycle of the sun, wherein powerful solar flares have a higher probability of occurring. The increase in solar activity has led to an upsurge in the amount of radiation that impacts the earth’s atmosphere – specifically UVA and UVB rays. Sunspots and solar flares release large quantities of UVA and UVB radiation that can heat up the earth’s atmosphere, and cause satellites to experience increased drag. The UV-B Monitoring and Research Program was started to monitor the amount of radiation that is reaching agriculture and forests, and has stated that UVB rays have the largest solar impact on the health of crops. In addition, UVA radiation is also harmful to life on Earth and can cause damage on a cellular level. Since UVA rays have a wavelength of 315-400 nanometers, it is close to that of visible light, and 70% to 95% penetrates through the atmosphere. UVB rays are even more damaging to life; however, UVB rays are at a shorter wave length – 280-315 nm - and almost all the rays are absorbed by the ozone layer. With the increase of solar activity, we believe that more radiation is encountering earth’s atmosphere and, therefore, more is reaching the life on earth. Also, with an increased amount of UVB rays, the atmosphere absorbs more energy, resulting in higher temperatures.

With our ultraviolet radiation sensors, we will determine how much UV radiation is penetrating the atmosphere at different altitudes. Also, we will determine if the amount of ultraviolet radiation present is more or less than the data found at several research institutions. We will compare our information to data from the National Center for Atmospheric Research – which is based in Boulder, Colorado, and the UV-B Monitoring and Research Program – located at Colorado State University. As our BalloonSat rises in altitude, we hypothesize that there will be a minimum increase in UVA detection, and, conversely, there will be an exponential increase in UVB detected. We also hypothesize that the levels of UV radiation detected will be higher than that of past years. If our hypothesis were correct, it would suggest that there is indeed an increase in solar activity. If this were the case, it would be important to follow up on our research,

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

as solar activity has a great impact on life on earth: communication satellites could be at risk, damage to life on a cellular level could occur, and there would be a heightened risk of damage to the electric grid at higher altitudes. If the solar activity is increasing, there is the possibility of large solar flares happening that would cause even more damage. However, if our data proves that there is less solar activity currently, than previous years, it would suggest the possibility that the peak of solar activity has already occurred. Either outcome would provide valuable information on the future of human life.

Our BallonSat would be equipped with six UVA detectors – two on the top, and one on each side perpendicular to the attaching rope – and one UVB detector located on top of the structure. We will also have two UVA detectors and one UVB detector on the ground, budget permitting, to have a control in the experiment. The UVA detectors are TSL235R – Light to Frequency Converters, which are temperature-compensated sensors for the wavelength range of 320 nanometers to 700 nanometers. To collect accurate data the sensors will be covered with a material to filter out the visible light spectrum and leave only UVA wavelengths. The UVB detector will be the Tocon E2 pre-amplified Sensor, which is an UV-Index photodetector.Along with our UV sensing payload, we will fly two cameras on our BalloonSat:

a Canon A570IS Digital Camera to take pictures, and a Go Pro Hero camera that will record high definition video of the flight. Our objective with the two cameras is to provide video and picture representation of the curvature of the earth.

2.0 Requirements Flow Down

In order to achieve a successful operationh of the BalloonSat of mission Andromeda team Orion has derived a series of fundamental requirements based on basic mission objectives and the mission statement. All higher level requirements are based and supported by any and all requirements below them; with level 2 and above being the higher level requirements. The level 0 requirements specify the primary mission objectives, level 1 requiems identify the systems and secondary objectives necessary to achieve the level 1 requirements. All higher level requirements follow the same format stating the subsystems and objectives necessary to accomplish the requirements of the lower levels.

Number Requirement Originates from

Level 0Instruments

0.1 The BalloonSat will collect electromagnetic radiation at Ultraviolet-A wavelengths as a function of altitude.

Mission Statement

0.2 The BalloonSat will measure internal and external conditions.

Mission Statement

0.3 BalloonSat will take in-flight pictures Mission StatementStructure

0.4 The BalloonSat will be survive to near space conditions. Mission Statement0.5 We will meet all the RFP requirements Mission Statement

Testing/Data0.6 Compare Data with NCAR Data. Mission Statement

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

0.7 Will test all programmed systems Mission StatementLevel 1

Instruments1.1 Will fly six UVA sensors and two UVB photodiodes. 0.11.2 BalloonSat will fly a GoPro Hero III and a Canon A780 0.31.3 Will fly pressure sensors, temperature sensors, acceleration

sensors, and humidity sensors.0.2

Structure1.4 The BalloonSat will be contained within a rigid, insulated

foam core structure.0.4 and 0.5

Testing/Data1.5 ArduinoUno will be programmed to record all data to an SD

card.0.7

1.6 Sensors will be calibrated to known conditions 0.7Level 2

Instruments2.1 Sensors will record data to micro SD card attached to

the ArduinoUno1.3 an 1.1

2.2 Both cameras will record to an internal SD card 1.2Structure

2.3 Instruments will be attached to structure with Velcro and/or hot glue

1.4

Testing/Data2.4 All programs will be verified prior to launch 1.5

3.0 DesignThe design of our structure is one of the most important aspects of our project.

Some of the basic things that this mission will require out of our structure is to rise up to approximately 30km and then fall back down to the earth, with a parachute slowing it down, and survive an impact with the ground at about 8 m/s. To do this we are building our structure out of a rigid material called foam core. It is easily cut and formed into the shape of our structure yet it is rigid enough to hold up against the force of impact and keep all of our instruments safe. This foam core will be held together with hot glue on the inside and aluminum tape on the outside. These will keep the foam core from coming apart at the seams and can brace weak areas such as corners. The structure's size and shape are basic for the main reason that it does not have to be complicated. The dimensions of the structure are 15cm by 15cm by 15cm cube that is ideal for holding all of our instruments and balancing the weight of our structure. By keeping the structures exterior simple it will allow us with more time to focus on the more complicated aspects of our project like writing the code for all the sensors.

Another obstacle we need to overcome is keeping all the components and instruments of our BalloonSat warm enough to operate. One of our requirements is that the BalloonSat is that the interior temperature is not to fall below -10 C. To do this our structure will be insulated and will use a heater. The heater runs off of three 9V batteries and is turned on and off by a switch. This switch will be mounted on the outside of our

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

structure and will be easily turned off and on before launch. This is not our only temperature concern. We will be using several light to frequency converters and a UVB sensor that need to be placed near the outside of our structure to capture the data that we need. The problem here is that they need to be warmer than -25 C to function. Our original design had them placed on the exterior of the structure so that they could easily collect data. This has been reconsidered because the exterior of our BalloonSat will be exposed to about -60 C during flight which is too cold for these sensors. In an attempt to keep them warm we will make windows in the sides and top of the box. This will keep warm air in while still allowing the sensors detect the data that they need. The windows will be made out of Plexiglas so that on impact with the ground the window will not shatter.

Our Light to Frequency sensors are exactly what the name implies. They measure the intensity of all light between the wavelengths of 320nm to 700nm. For our experiment we only want UVA radiation which is 320nm to 400nm. To get accurate data we will filter out the visible light that reaches the sensor. To do this we will use camera film which, when blacked out, filters out the visible light only letting the UVA radiation reach the sensor. This camera film will be mounted on the window that the sensor looks out so that no visible light will penetrate into the structure and the sensor only captures UVA radiation.

We will be using a UVB sensor from Boston Electronics. This sensor is our most expensive and important sensor. Due to the cost of over $180 we are forced to be limited to only one of this particular sensor. Due to our belief that the best data will be collected from the top of our BalloonSat we will place this sensor here. Two of the UVA sensors will also be placed here. Like the UVA sensor, the UVB sensor also needs to be insulated so that it does not reach a temperature of over -25 C. We will use the same technique as we will for the UVA sensors. On the top of the BalloonSat we will have two windows on opposite sides of the hole (for the cable attaching us to the balloon). One window will not contain camera film and will have the UVB sensor placed to collect data through it. The other window will have the camera film filter and contain two light to frequency converters. The other four light to frequency converters will be placed on each of the vertical sides of the structure in the center with a window containing camera film filter.

The BalloonSat will also contain two cameras. The first is a Canon Powershot SD780IS. It will take pictures throughout the flight approximately every 10 seconds. The camera is powered by an internal battery and the pictures will be stored on an internal SD card. The other Camera is a GoPro Hero 3. Like the other camera it has self-contained memory and power. It will be turned on using a toggle switch that presses the button on the camera. By doing this it is entirely separate from the rest of the subsystems. This is good because then if the Arduino were to fail then we will still have HD video of the flight. The GoPro has a light mounted on it so we can view this light to ensure that the camera is on.

The positioning inside the box is important so that we can balance weight. This is important so that we can try to keep our BalloonSat from spinning so that our cameras can get quality pictures. To do this we will position the cameras on opposite sides of the BalloonSat. Also we will keep the batteries positioned in the center of the structure. By doing this we will hopefully avoid the tilt-a-whirl effect.

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

Design Diagram Opened

Components: Arduino Uno(has SD shield, development board, accelerometer, pressure

sensor, humidity sensor, vibration sensor and temperature sensor attached) Canon Powershot Batteries GoPro Heater

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

Design Diagram Closed

Squares are windows that represent Plexi-glass and UV sensors Circle in corner is the GoPro lens

Block Diagram

As reflected in the block diagram almost everything that we fly will be controlled by an Arduino Uno. It is programmed using the Arduino software that we downloaded from the

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

Arduino website. All the data that is collected during the flight will be stored on a one of two 2GB micro SD cards. We can then put these SD cards into computers and read the data contained on them. All of this is powered by two 9V batteries. The Canon Camera is also turned on by the Arduino Uno but it is not powered by it. The only thing that the Arduino will do is turn the camera on because once turned on the camera is programmed to take one picture approximately every 10 seconds. The camera also is powered by its own battery and does not draw from the Arduino's power. There are two other subsystems that do not the Arduino in any way. The GoPro Hero 3 camera is all self contained. It has its own power supply, and data storage. It will be turned on by a toggle switch and when on a light will enlighten. The other is the heating system. It is controlled by a switch that will be mounted on the outside of the structure and will be turned on just before flight. It is powered by three 9V batteries and will remain on for the duration of the flight.

4.0 ManagementJack is the team leader and does the budget management and is backed up by Alexis for budget. Jack is in charge of getting the sponsorship and keeping the teams cost within the budget. Alexis is in charge of testing the BallonSat, she is backed up by Devon.

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

Alexis makes sure our testing is on time and correct. Multiple tests will be done. Devon is our software lead and is backed up by Jaevyn. He is in charge of programming the Arduino uno and making sure everything is connected correctly to the Arduino. He also makes sure the data is being stored properly. Jaevyn is in charge of science and he is backed up by Lucas. Jaevyn gets together contacts, deals with all the science parts, and he knows how everything works. Lucas is in charge of C&DH and is backed up by Eric. Lucas analyzes the data and when we get the data back he will put it into graphs so we can see what happened as the BalloonSat went up in elevation. Eric is systems lead and he is backed up by Jack. Eric makes sure all the systems are working correctly once everything is put together. He will make sure all switches and controls work properly. Dylan is design lead and he is backed up by Evan. Dylan creates all of our drawings in solid works and the shape of the BalloonSat. He also makes most of the decisions on where components will go. Lastly Evan is integration lead and Dylan is his back up. Evan makes sure everything is hooked up correctly and that is implemented correctly in the BalloonSat. Everyone has a backup so that they can be assisted with parts that are a lot of work and just in case something traumatic happens to the current lead. Everyone helps with the whole building process. We have a meeting every Sunday night at 8p.m. in the ITLL. We then have at least one more meeting every week whenever it is most convenient for the most group members.

5.0 BudgetOur Budget is being used to its full potential with only three Dollars not planning to be spent at this time. The Most expensive thing is the UVB Diode from Boston Electronics, taking up about 72% of our total budget. The other main part of our Budget is that our GoPro Hero 3 is being donated to us by Canine Hardware. This

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

lets us integrate it into our BalloonSat and does not put any dent into our Budget at all. Due to the fact that our budget leaves so little extra money our team will also front the money to purchase some other parts that are vital to the experiment. Such items as dry ice, extra 9V batteries, and the Plexiglas are examples of such items. When divided evenly between team members the total cost per team member is less than six dollars . Our Total Budget:

Budget Item Source$24 UVA Sensor Sparkfun

$180 UVB Diode Boston Electronics$30 Arduino Uno Amazon$10 Micro SD Card Sparkfun

$3 Vibration Sensor Sparkfun

Provided Temperature sensor Chris

provided Accelerometer Chrisprovided Humidity Sensor Chrisprovided Pressure Sensor Chrisprovided SD Shield Chrisprovided Micro SD Card Chrisprovided Development Board ChrisDonated GoPro Hero 3 Canine Hardware

Provided Foam Core ChrisProvided Canon Powershot AD780IS ChrisProvided Heater ChrisProvided Batteries X5 ChrisProvided Aluminum Tape ChrisProvided Arduino Uno X 2 ChrisProvided Copper Wire ChrisProvided Insulation Chris

TOTAL: $247

Summary of Items Purchased By Team Members Cost Item Source$3.80 Camera Film Mike's Camera$15 SD Shield Sparkfun$11 9V Batteries X 10 McGucken's$10 Dry Ice Safeway$6 Plexiglas McGucken's

TOTAL: $45.80

6.0 Test Plan, Safety and ResultsThe testing of the Project Orion satellite will include several test trials of various testing methods. These tests are designed to ensure that the satellite meets or exceeds the mission requirements.

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

These tests include several differing structure tests to ensure that the satellite will remain in full working order after and during the flight, and that its hull will not breach or its structure become compromised by any known or expected forces during the flight. The first series of tests are the Whip tests, which will ensure that the satellite can withstand the shock, vibration and forces from the cable that it will be attached to during the flight. The second series of tests will be the Shock tests, which will ensure that the satellite can withstand the impact of reentry when the flight ends. We will also include Cooling tests to ensure the hull does not break down under predicted temperature extremes or even colder temperatures.The Arduino Uno core board will go through several tests to ensure it remains operational through all flight conditions and that all sensors are being read and their data is being stored. To ensure this is the case, we will test that each sensor can be read and stored both individually and as a group all at once. We will also test to ensure that the Arduino battery array does in fact power the Arduino, and that the heater battery array powers the heater. We will ensure that all switches act as expected, and that all “basic” sensors do read and report their respective values.There will also be a series of camera tests to ensure the cameras will remain operational throughout the flight, and afterwards, as per out mission requirements. We will send each camera through a series of functionality tests to prove that they are flight-worthy. These tests include Battery Life tests to ensure the cameras will remain functional during the entire flight, and Data Storage tests to identify the maximum amount of pictures or length of video we can record in the flight duration. We will also include Calibration testing that ensures that the cameras can record properly through the holes provided in the satellite hull, and Cooling tests to ensure that the cameras retain their functionality in the uppermost of expected temperature extremes. There will also be Connectivity tests that ensure the Arduino board can interface with the Canon 780, and turn it on when the mission begins, as well as ensure that the manual toggle for the GoPro works as planned.We will include tests to be applied specifically to the Plexi glass that will help shield several of our sensors, especially those measuring light or taking video or pictorial data. The Plexi glass will go through stress testing through applying torque along various axis’ of the Plexi glass, and shock testing through being stricken and dropped. We will also ensure that Visible Light and UV Radiation can pass uninterrupted through the Plexi glass. All Plexi glass pieces will undergo Cooling Testing to ensure the Plexi glass does not fracture under the temperature extreme. Once these tests have been passed, we will attach the Plexi glass to the satellite, and test the strength of our attachment process between the Plexi glass and the satellite hull.

We will be testing our blackened film for effectiveness and durability under the expected conditions of the flight. Primary testing will look for effectiveness of the film to restrict light flow to only UVA radiation. Once this is proven true and effective, as expected, we will move on to Cooling Testing to ensure that the film does not deteriorate, crack, or in any way compromise itself when under the temperature extremes the flight is expected to undergo.

UVA Sensors will undergo rigorous calibration testing before being readied and placed

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

within the satellite. First, we will ensure the sensors read the presence of light through darkness and brightness testing, and then we will prove the sensors can discern different levels of light through use of simple light intensity testing. Next, we will make sure the sensors read UVA radiation specifically, by using the blackened film, once proven to filter UVA, and covering the sensor in a manner which mimics the filtering array on the satellite. We will then calibrate the sensors to identify what reading corresponds to what intensity of UVA radiation. This will be accomplished by finding an output value for zero light, and then an output value for the light that reaches the ground on a sunny, clear day at high noon, which is an intensity value we know from the NCAR data. From those values we can find a scale that compares real intensity to output values, with perhaps a tertiary source of known-intensity light.Finally, we will assemble the Orion Satellite and test that all components are functional and interact with each other as expected on the ground. We will then perform a final Cooling test on the whole satellite, which will prove that it can function under expected temperature extremes.

SafetyIn order to maintain safety for both the members of our team and project, we will practice careful and precautionary steps throughout the entire manufacturing and testing process. During the time that we are constructing the BalloonSat, there will be at least two team members working together: this guarantees that each member of the team shall not attain any serious injuries. This precaution will also be beneficial to the inspection and verification process in the building and testing of the BalloonSat. All testing will be orchestrated with the utmost care having multiple team members present, which will ensure the accuracy of record data. For all hazardous materials, i.e. dry ice, proper safety measures for the specific material will be studied and executed. For the handling of electronics, grounding wristbands will be worn for the prevention of electrostatic damaging the hardware. Lastly, the team’s contact information, and an American flag will be affixed to the exterior of the BalloonSat to alleviate concerns of terrorism and provide a sense of safety in the local community.

Team Orion October 22, 2012

Project Andromeda

7.0 Expected ResultsFor this particular launch of our Gateway to Space BalloonSat we expect see an increase in solar radiation in Earth’s upper atmosphere by comparing our data to data collected by the National Center for Atmospheric Radiation (NCAR). In addition to seeing an increase in solar radiation, we expect every sensor to work properly. That would be the pressure, temperature, acceleration, vibration and humidity sensors. The pressure sensor should read pressures consistent with 30 km in altitude and the temperature sensor should read temperatures associated with that height. The acceleration and vibration sensors should show violent movements right after burst. The humidity sensor should also read low measurements at peak altitude. Also the light to frequency converter and UVB sensors should work properly. The light to frequency converter will have a piece of film placed over it so it should only give readings for UVA light frequencies. These should all work properly with the Arduino Uno. Additionally, the GoPro should take clear video of the ascent and decent of the BalloonSat, capturing the curvature of the earth. The Canon should take pictures every 10 seconds of flight. Lastly, the BalloonSat will be able to fly again after it returns to Earth.

Team Orion October 22, 2012