UPDATES

4/27/23:

 

Fins: Scoring the body tube and epoxying one of the fins closed.

 

Payload: Need to machine metal parts of the payload. Will most likely get completed next week. Code and PCB are being developed.

 

Propulsion/airframe/recovery: Finished ordering everything. Now have fully assembled system.Completed a small system test on Tuesday. Making a wire raceway for the rocket.

 

Avionics: Finished PCB and it is working. Separation system is now complete.

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4/20/23:

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Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Continued production/fabrication of parts. Conducted testing on separation system and ordered shear pins to perform more tests. 

 

Avionics: Currently testing PCB for separation system, also putting together electronic system for nosecone.

 

Payload: Finalizing code for combined sensors on PCB. Troubleshooting issues with camera which will be mounted to the payload.

 

Fins: Tried sanding down individual fins, did not come out as expected. Ordered new G10, which arrived this thursday and working on sanding it down. 

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4/13/23:

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Avionics: Successfully have PCB working and working on the soldering now. Going to also do a test on it during the clinic today.Need to test the separation system with the Mechanical Engineers. 

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Payload: Starting work on the PCB. Remilled holes in payload but may need to re-manufacture the payload. Looking into getting steel to make the bulkheads. Have the MQ135 sensor left as far as coding for the payload.

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Fins: Confirmed schedule with Dr.Schmalzel for plan for future week. Completed “fin jig”. Cut excess material off carbon fiber fins. Considering ordering more G10 material as an option if the sanding of the current fins does not work.

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Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Currently testing shear pins for separation system. 

 

4/6/23:

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Avionics: Received PCB for separation system, continued work on antenna range tests.

 

Payload: Continued progress on Python Code which will utilize camera of the payload. Made tentative plans for pressure and temperature tests on all sensors. 

 

Fins: As per the feedback received from the design review, looking into using a carbon fiber lay-up or using socketed slots for the Fins system. 

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Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Started manufacturing of all parts after design review of separation system.

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3/28/23:

 

Avionics: Separation electronics PCB is being approved by Carl and then will be sent out. Already have the parts for the PCB. Redesigning some nose cone mount pieces to be more space efficient and getting them 3-D printed. Working on antenna and antenna testing on 3/28 for the range. Once we decide on the antenna we will begin making mounts for it. Separation proof of concept works in response to telemetry electronics. Started thinking about ideas for quick release electronics and what parts will need to be ordered.

 

Payload: Working on code for testing the sensors. Gathering Python code for the sensors.

 

Fins: Getting materials for the attachment jig. Finished documentation for the 3-d printing we have done over the semester. 

 

Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Working on the website and the early system for the quick disconnect. 

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3/23/23:

 

Avionics: Due to the interim report, decided to go back to the old board that does not include pressure sensors. Continued work on 2 mile antenna connection.

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Payload: Continued work on working all sensors together on breadboard.

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Fins: Decided to go back to the G10 fins. Worked on report for material test setup.

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Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Redesign of CO2 release mechanism. Working on bar pad and optimizing length of shock cords.

 

3/9/23:

 

Avionics: Nick is working on 2 mile antenna connection. Dillion is working on a backup system by adding a pressure sensor. Adding hardware for the pressure sensor in the recovery system. 

 

Payload: Sensors are working. Working on getting the sensors to work simultaneously and save the data that is collected. Working on fastening to the payload. 

 

Fins: Printed test samples and contacted a professor regarding the shear modulus test. Working on simulation software. 

 

Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Printing parts for recovery CO2 system. Received motor casing and began work on that.

 

3/2/23:

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Payload: Received remaining sensors for payload. Placed order for MQ-131 ozone sensor. Continued work on programming all sensors together on a breadboard, then will finalize the PCB design for the payload.

 

Avionics: Performed antenna range test. Continued work on telemega as well as communications with the  SDR antenna.

 

Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Continued work on the design of the shock cord.

 

Fins: Made conceptual mock up for fin attachment. Working on analysis for new part. Researched fiberglass for 3d printing material. 

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2/23/23:

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Payload: New piece of acrylic was created to test with to make sure we do not mess up the only piece that we have. PCB is being designed and testing all sensors to make sure that they can be powered by the power supply that we are using. Preliminary code for the PCB. 

 

Avionics: Close to finishing assembling the nose cone mount. Drilling holes to mount the parts that hold the battery. Performing a range test on 2/23 for the antenna that we purchased for the rocket. Hoping to confirm today that the antenna is working by the end of 2/23. Still working on a test inside the vacuum chamber, may need to order a part. Separation system PCB is almost done and ready to be ordered. Have a working prototype for all besides the pressure sensor. Working with the separation team soon to run a full test on the system. 

 

Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Drilled holes to prepare for separation tests. Working on designing the length of the shock cords. Working on the cartridges to get them to work as needed. 

 

Fins: Test piece is printed. Researching attachment methods and G10. Working on transferring material properties to new software obtained. Figuring out which tests we need to complete through looking into the data that we currently have. 

 

2/16/2023:

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Payload: Researched and found power supply for the Raspberry Pi-3b. Arranged plan for testing sensors of the payload.

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Avionics: Working on utilzing a servo with the telemega, also finalized design of the PCB.

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Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Picked out shock cord for design. Continued work on CO2 model and added specifications to final tests document.

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Fins: Researched sheer modulus and G-10 as a possible material for the fins. Started print for the fins, and working on flutter analysis for new model.

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2/9/2023:

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Received feedback from the first progress report. They highlighted our need to complete the flutter analysis and further explain deployment of payload. 

 

Payload: Working on getting components into Diptrace for the sensors that were ordered. Also doing power calculations with the battery. 

 

Avionics: Working on electronics for separation systems. Making a prototype for connecting to a separation system. Decided which antenna we will be using and working on assembling the nose cone mount. Talking to Fifth about setting up a vacuum chamber for testing purposes.

 

Fins: Working on trying to continue to explore 3D printed fin options versus G10 material.If progress cannot be made regarding the carbon fiber option by the end of the month, will switch back to G10. Lab access has been acquired. Need to decide on the size of the 3D printed material for the tests, also doing research onto which tests they should perform with the material. NASTRAN software has been obtained, experimenting with the software to see what tests can be performed. 

 

Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Had to re-do simulation as they did not have enough room in the front of the rocket, so they ran the simulation to have the simulation in the back. This did cause the stability to go down, but not enough to cause a problem. Adjusting recovery system with C02 cartridges to work with the payload system. Got a new parachute, but are looking into a new bag that will fit better into the rocket.

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2/2/2023:

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Payload: Looked into and finalized sensor list for payload.

 

Avionics: Looking into using an arduino with a servo motor for the parachute.

 

Propulsion/Airframe/Recovery: Pressure testing and new 3d prototype. Looking into nylon and kevlar shock cords. Bolts arrived and will work on shear tests.

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Fins: Got access to MSC Nastran software for flutter tests. Finished most of the shear modulus calculations for the model.

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1/26/2023:

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This week we started the new Spring Semester. We completed introductions of new and old team members. We also assigned the new team members to teams to assign them roles. The new members began to become familiar with what has been accomplished and what needs to be accomplished this semester. 

 

Payload: Looking into master parts list to cross reference parts to see if they work together. Want to ensure if there is any uncertainty about parts working together, test them to ensure they work correctly. Want to make sure that everything can fit into the payload that was used in the past. 

 

Avionics: Testing antenna that they have with the network analyzer.
 

Propulsion: Working on a new recovery system and looking at the old system. Looking into shock cords, and purchased shear pins.
 

Fins: Trying to gain access to a room with a 3D printer that uses carbon fiber. Getting software MSC Nastran for flutter analysis.