Structures Projects

Current Projects

Current Projects
Project Summary Project Description and Details
Parachute Project Research for optimum parachute size with respect to weight.
High Reliability All Purpose Tracking and Imaging Capsule A tracking and imaging capsule with a life of 2 years.
Autonomous Directional Antenna Tracking Station An antenna that tracks the balloon autonomously.

High Reliability All Purpose Tracking and Imaging Capsule

Purpose and Goals

The goal of this project is to develop a simple low mass, small size tracking capsule. Payload includes two independent tracking units, a temperature data logger, a digital still camera and a video camera/recorder. The capsule's payload would be capable of meeting minimum success criteria for launch.
The idea is that this capsule would be designed, built and tested thoroughly. Then the design would remain unchanged for future launches. This plan would help insure the successful tracking of future launches by reducing the adverse affects of last minute changes on the tracking hardware. The capsule could also be launched with other launch teams (such as the high school) to provide critical tracking services so they stay focus on science experiments.

People Involved

Status

R&D complete.
Begining construction. Construction due to be complete week of 2/15.

Parachute Project

Purpose and Goals

We are researching a method to control a directional parachute in order to dictate the descent of the package. We are also researching and designing a control parachute that will be specific to our needs. This is a multi-semester project. Spring 08 we will be focusing on developing a proof of concept with minimal programming. In Fall 08 we will begin programming the parachute to be controlled from the ground in real-time. This part of the project is dependent on the success of Comm Team's Project Ginger.

People Involved

Status

Scaled model built.
Begining testing procedure.

Autonomous Directional Antenna Tracking Station (In Conjunction with Ground Station)

Purpose and Goals

  • Automatic calculations of heading and azimuth between two points
  • Machine operated 2-Axis antenna movement
  • Directional antenna for picking up more of the signal we want and less of the noise we don't.

People Involved

Options

Status

Research is complete. Working on design.
Project is currently put on hold in favor of more critical projects.

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