The Big Kahunas Request for Proposal

Transcription

1 Gateway to Space Spring 2006 The Big Kahunas Request for Proposal For: The Solar Hog Team: Wes Furuya Mike Loptien Noah Moore Scott Tatum Vince Williams The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

2 Request for Proposal Overview and Mission Statement: Our balloon satellite will observe solar emissions, especially in the infrared, visible, and ultra violet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the interaction between light concentration and the ozone layer in the Earth s atmosphere as our satellite ascends to 30,480 meters. We want to determine how the ozone layer affects the penetration of electromagnetic radiation into our atmosphere. Due to the chemical nature of ozone, larger light frequencies such as UV tend to be deflected into space, protecting the Earth s surface. Using a HOBO Data Logger with an attached spectrometer/uv-sensor, the balloon satellite will record the amount of infrared, visible light, and ultra-violet light that penetrates through the different layers of our atmosphere. In addition, we will attach small solar cells to the primary HOBO Data Logger in order to measure the voltage produced as the amount of harmful light frequencies increase, and thus the amount of power we can receive as our balloon satellite ascends to the edge of space. Technical Overview: In order to protect our sensitive equipment our satellite will need to maintain an internal temperature of at least 0 o C as well as survive the massive G-forces sustained after burst and during landing. To keep the satellite s internal temperature above our hardware limitation, we will use a self constructed heater that runs off three 9 volt batteries. The heater was made from three 4 ohm resistors set in series. To provide structural integrity the walls of our satellite will be made of foam core siding provided in class, and will be reinforced with aluminum tape to keep the satellite tightly sealed. We will be using foam core to construct our satellite because it is a very strong, light, and structurally sound material and it is much easier to use than aluminum because it is easy to cut and form. Aluminum is a much denser material, and thus it is much more structurally sturdy, but also much heavier. Weight is a main concern, and with the tape reinforcements the structure should be strong enough for our purposes. Should the need arise we may use a cube of aluminum with hollow sides to help reinforce the corners of our satellite. The foam in the foam core material acts as a very good insulator to keep the satellite warm and the tape will help trap any stray radiation that might be released from our heater. The equipment needed for our experiments can be collected very efficiently by the HOBO data logging systems. The provided HOBO will be used for temperature and humidity readings, as well as an additional voltage reading from our solar panels. The provided HOBO weighs approximately 30 grams. To measure light intensity, two new HOBO systems must be purchased and each one will be devoted to light intensity readings. Each of these weigh only 18 grams. Each HOBO contains its own power supply, memory, and computer communication port, so they will not have to be activated by our control switch on launch day, but can be placed in hibernation until they are needed. In order to run the rest of the equipment we must bring up our own power supply. The solar panels are experimental only and are not large enough to provide power to all systems in the satellite. Batteries are very heavy for their size and we will need a great number of them which will make up a majority of our weight. Our goal is to image the earth and the balloon by using a parabolic mirror that is extended on a boom in front of the camera. This mirror will reflect light in a much broader area than just two flat mirrors and will result in a very interesting picture, producing a fish-eye affect. Due to the precarious nature of the mirror, most of the structure will have to be designed around preventing The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

3 the mirror from falling off. The external temperature cable will be strung from the provided Hobo to the outside of the satellite and then mounted on the outside. The hole that is cut in the side of the satellite will be filled with some insulator to block the outside cold from leaking into the satellite. The satellite is built to observe and to record the amount of light in a broad spectral range that is absorbed by the ozone layer. The light sensors on the outside of the satellite are positioned on opposite corners of the top of the satellite in order to obtain the best readings. If they were mounted on the sides of the satellite, then when the satellite spun, we would have dark spots in our data because the satellite would be between the sensor and the sun. To get more constant data, we need the sensors on top so that the spinning satellite does not effect the measurements. If the light intensity in the ultra violet spectrum is observed to be lower while in the ozone layer, and dramatically increase above, the amount of light absorbed can be determined. The two extra HOBOS are the light meters that detect UV rays and can store the data that is collected on their own memory. Once these readings have been obtained it will be possible to determine the amount of light that is absorbed and deflected by the ozone layer, and be able to tell how much light would be striking the surface of the planet if the ozone was not there. The balloon flight string will be mounted through the satellite because it is much sturdier than a side mount. The forces that are put on the string and its mounting would be too great if it s mounted on the side. However, if it is mounted through the middle, it has all the sides to help support it so the stress will be much less on the mounting which reduces the threat of it breaking off. Washers will be used to line the mounting area because they will provide extra support to the walls of the satellite and are much less prone to bending and breaking. The two Hobos that we are using for our experiment cost only $50 apiece and we won t need many spare parts because all of our experimental hardware is provided in the Hobos. The only other big expense will be the parabolic mirror, as they are very expensive and can tend to be fairly heavy. Any other expenses for fabrication and spare parts are taken care of in the budget under Other Fabrication Materials. With these being our only expenses, we will have plenty of money left in our budget for anything that may come up during construction and testing. The total budget is below on the next page. We will put our contact information on the satellite in case it is lost. The information will fly along with a small American flag sticker to show that our satellite is not viewed as a threat to anyone who discovers it. We have a video camera and a very good video editor so we are planning on documenting the whole fabrication process on video to show after our final presentation. Test of Design: To test the heaters and the internal temperature probe we will place the balloon sat in a container with dry ice for three hours and, during that time, record the temperature on the HOBO to see how well the heaters work and to make sure they keep the temp above 0 C. If this cold test fails, more efficient, or more heaters are needed. To test the UV detectors, we will place them in various types of sunlight (cloudy, sunny, in the shade, and with glass and plastic in front of the detector) for short time intervals to see if anything effects the measurements. The glass and plastic test is to see if we can cover the UV detectors to help protect them. Then we will test the UV detector for 3 hours to make sure that the batteries will last for the entire duration of the flight as well as to determine how much memory the detector will need during flight. Several tests are needed to make sure the structure will support all of the sensors and camera during The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

4 flight and keep them from damage. During flight, the satellite will experience great G-forces upon the fall and balloon burst as well as a collision with the ground and could be pulled along the ground behind the parachute if the winds are strong enough. To test for the higher G-forces, we will connect the satellite to a long cord and swing it around with the satellite on the end in a whip test. To test the collision with the ground we will drop the satellite from feet with no parachute to see how well it maintains shape as well as to see whether the fake components will remain in place. To test what happens if the parachute drags the satellite on the ground, we will take it and drag it across the ground at a fast sprint or behind a bike or a car. Also to test this, we can throw the satellite down the stairs to let it roll and bounce. To test the camera and the timer, we will turn on the timer and make sure the camera takes pictures for the duration of the flight. We will also have the timer and camera running during the heater and temperature test to make sure that the camera will work in the cold temperatures. Charts and Pictures Mass and Cost Budget: Equipment Description Needs Mass (g) Cost ($) Self-Assembled Regulates time between Camera (3- Timing Circuit pictures 10 g Provided AA) Cannon Elph LT Timing Circuit Self-Assembled Heating Pad Heat Pad Activation Switch Payload Temperature Monitoring System Aluminum Tape Foam Core Material Payload - (2) UV light Detection systems Payload Wall Mounted Solar panels Small Washers Electrical Wiring Parabolic Mirror Other Fabrication Materials Captures Still images using magnetic strips to record on solid Film Strip Three AA batteries that provide enough power Maintains internal temperature of at least 0 oc Timing Circuit 340 g Provided None 70 g Provided (3-9volt) 60 g Provided Provides power to the heating pad None 120 g Provided Turns on all systems in the Satellite (not including HOBOS) Monitors external and internal temperatures of Balloon Sat Aids the structure and helps maintain stability Structure of the Satellite, provides the mountings for everything Monitors levels of UV absorption in the Ozone layer Aids in the collection of data in the spectral range, could be mounted to a voltmeter Reinforces the structural support and allows the cable to pass through sat Connects the members of the circuit together None 5 g Provided (internal) 30 g Provided None 2 g Provided Aluminum Tape 10 g Provided (internal) None 36 g 100 $ 45 g Obtained Free Adhesive 1 g 2 $ None 5 g 5 $ Deflects the light toward the camera Adhesives 20 g 50 $ Other resources needed to finish construction of the satellite Not Applicable 10 g 20 $ Totals: 764 g 182 $ The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

5 Schematic System View: Schedule Launch program: On the day of the launch we will all arrive at the CU Boulder Campus at 5:15AM and carpool to the launch site. Those of us that are not going on the recovery will find an extra car or a ride with another group back to boulder. Before turn in, we will test to make sure that all systems are working and that the batteries have a full charge. After we connect to the balloon, all systems will be turned on and everything will be checked for status. Those that are going on recovery will carpool to the landing site. Scott is our Launch Program Director. Special features: Solar panels for sunlight intensity and a parabolic mirror for the camera are special features of our satellite. We will use solar panels on the sides of the satellite for light intensity tests, and quite possibly test to see if we can charge our batteries. We will be using the HOBO to find the amount of energy the sun provides to the earth through sunlight as well as seeing how much of that energy is absorbed by the ozone layer. The parabolic mirror on the camera will show a complete view of the earth and the balloon when in orbit. Management and Cost Overview Complete Design: As of 2/9/06 our team has sketched out what our balloon sat will look like. All of the features, including our experiment, have been thought out and placed in certain positions to make the best use of space and keep the center of gravity in the center of our satellite. This is our conceptual design which might require some necessary changes to the design of the satellite box and everything inside of it. The sketching of our design is attached to the back of this document. Hardware: We are planning on experimenting with two UV ray detectors that will fly on the outside The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

6 of our satellite. They each weigh 18 grams and are approximately $49. Other hardware that we will need to purchase or that will be provided is: 3-9 volt batteries Aluminum tape Foam core or aluminum Camera Heater Data storage Pipe/ Washers Solar Panels Adhesives Prototype: Before starting on the actual satellite we will confirm which of our designs will work best. Detailed sketches will be made and therefore a prototype can be fabricated to give us ideas for our finished product. We will use a CAD tool which can simulate how everything will fit together with exact measurements. Building Start: 2/16/06 Begin building structure for satellite. We will have all dimensions planned out so that our satellite is compact and durable. The shell of our satellite will be the first part of the building process. Then selectively, each component will be placed securely into the satellite. Testing Final Design: Since the launch date is 4/22/06, we plan to have our final design built and ready to fly no later than 4/13/06. If there are any complications or anything that needs to be changed we will have time to do it before the launch. Also if our satellite fails to meet the requirements of the cold test or durability test, adjustments can be made. Cold Test: We will be placing our satellite in a cooler with dry ice and collect data to make sure all our functions work. Temperature will have an effect on the components inside the balloon sat. If it gets too cold then everything in our satellite could stop working. The cold test will be preformed immediately after the first prototype is complete. Durability test: This will test the strength of our structure. It will be dropped down the stairs which will simulate the impact on landing and movement in space. This test will also be performed on a dummy satellite after our structure is finished. Team Members Jack Scott Tatum: Scott is a freshman at the University of Colorado majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He was born in Aurora Colorado on April 9, 1987, and has one older brother who goes to the University of Miami. He went to Overland High School where he played football and baseball along with The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

7 taking many accelerated and AP courses. Upon entering CU he already had 45 credit hours. He enjoys playing all kinds of sports, being outdoors, skiing, camping, and taking his car 4 wheel driving. Noah Moore: Noah is a freshman in Aerospace Engineering. His skills include programming and basic circuits, and he has had lots of experience in C, C++, Python, Java, and Basic. He is a nerd to the core, and he used to be first board on the chess team and a member of the Speech and Debate club. He is an avid gamer, but will take the time to enjoy a good book or to write one of the two stories he has been working on. He will often write code for pleasure as well. Gateway to Space is an exciting experience in building a real satellite (even thought it launches with a balloon), which he hopes to do for a living at some point in his future. Michael Loptien: Michael is an Electrical Engineer and is skilled with circuitry and has some skill programming in C, C++, and Assembly language. He was born in Louisville Colorado on February 26, 1986, and has a younger brother and a younger sister. He enjoys gaming and organizing hang out times with his group of friends as well as playing Ultimate Frisbee. He has always been a true Star Wars fan but has also had a real interest in the real space exploration and missions that companies such as Ball Aerospace, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin take part in. Gateway to Space is a true gateway for Michael as he is looking to work with a company like these on satellites upon graduation. Vince Williams: Vince was born and raised in Denver CO. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. He was part of a Lockheed Martin team that did an experiment similar to the balloon sat we are doing in Gateway to Space. His favorite hobbies are paintball and playing football. He enjoys working on his computer, designing web pages. Vince hopes to graduate from CU boulder with a degree in either aeronautical or computer engineering. Wesley Furuya: Wes graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu as the valedictorian of his class in 05. He has taken a number of online courses and has had a number of internships as an assistant researcher. He has worked a lot with form work for concrete as well as been a CAD trainee and student researcher. He has played a number of sports for his high school and was MVP for his water polo team. He is very talented with MathCAD, Solidworks, and other Cad tools. The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

8 Team member Roles The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

9 Sketches These sketches show how our satellite will be laid out. The first set of sketches show the crosssection of our satellite and what the layout will be inside. The second set shows the outside of the satellite and the position of the components that interact with the outside environment. Cross-Section : The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006

10 Generic The Big Kahunas February 14, 2006