Structures
The mission of the Structures Team is to provide a safe environment and operating platform for all engineering systems, experiments, batteries, and sensors. Specific responsibilities of the Team are
- to provide a physical capsule (both interior and exterior) to ensure a safe operating environment for the payload;
- to maintain physical integrity for the launch, ascent, descent, and surface impact phases of the flight;
- to maintain thermal integrity by modeling and calculation so that the capsule interior, including engineering systems, instruments, sensors, and batteries will be maintained within proper operating temperatures;
- to maintain an appropriate internal mass distribution including location of the center of gravity; and
- to provide a safe and reliable parachute and balloon attachment.
Additional tasks of the Structures Team will be to
- consider new lightweight structures, materials, and configurations for the capsule;
- develop and fabricate ports/windows, and structures for experiments (shelves, boom, etc.);
- design and fabricate attachments, accessories, or other miscellaneous items as needed;
- specify attachment of the capsule(s) to the balloon and parachute
Science, Engineering, and Power
The Engineering, Science, and Power Team's mission is to facilitate/coordinate the main experiments designed for the VAST program, to ensure all on-board systems have power, to minimize power sources and size of on-board experiments to minimize weight (thus allowing more to be launched), and to coordinate all of the science experiments, on-board computer/stamp(s) and power for each launch. This team is also responsible for devising new methods for powering the capsule (especially those that integrate systems and/or save weight/mass), and for testing all electronic/experimental devices prior to launch to ensure they are working properly.
Power Subteam
The power subteam is responsible for providing reliable, well conditioned power (proper voltage and current) for all capsule engineering, science, and housekeeping systems and subsystems. This team is also responsible for investigating new methods for powering the capsule, including novel technologies that can operate in the extreme environments of near-space, that integrate systems, improve efficiency, reduce the probability of critical (single point) power failures such as redundancy, and save weight/mass. A key future goal of the Power Subteam is to investigate the efficacy of using solar cells to produce power for the capsule, and as a means of recharging batteries.
Communications Team
The Communications Team's mission is to use HAM radio technology to allow the flight team to communicate with the balloon payloads prior to launch, in flight, and after landing. This also includes uplink of telecommands and downlink of telecommand receipt and execution verification, science and engineering telemetry, and housekeeping/instrument health. Other responsibilities of the Communications Team include:
- Definition of prelaunch radio relay link operation demonstration procedures
- Data formatting and timing
- Antennas
- Command definitions
Although Communications Team members do NOT have to be licensed, the Communications Team lead must be a licensed HAM operator, and the Assistant Lead must prepare to become licensed.
Launch, Navigation & Tracking Subteam
The Launch, Navigation, and Tracking Subteam’s mission is to use HAM radio technology, APRS, and GPS technology to allow the balloon to communicate with the Navigation team while in flight and with the recovery team upon landing, and to deliver tracking information while in flight (altitude, location, etc.). Although Tracking Subteam members do NOT have to be licensed, the Tracking Subteam lead must be a licensed HAM operator.
Additionally, the Launch, Navigation & Tracking Subteam is responsible for identifying possible launch sites, running predictions for these sites, determining possible landing zones, preparing for launch by coordinating with all other teams, contacting the FAA, obtaining launch supplies, etc., leading the launch effort on the day of the launch, and coordinating recovery of the capsule(s) on the day of the flight. This includes working with the balloon(s) (filling it, etc.), parachute(s), and all other on-site launch equipment.
Outreach Team
The outreach team will provide support to the group by doing work in recruitment, public relations, and educational outreach. Example activities include:
- Creating posters, flyers, and/or exhibitions booths for events such as Vandal Friday, and Engineering Expo
- Creating “recruitment” presentations for use in freshman/sophomore classes, etc.
- Mentoring High School students
- T-shirt design
- Maintaining the public website
- Photography / video of launches, other important stages of design
- Creating public relations/recruitment video
- Working with engineering organizations, such as ASME, IEEE, ASCE, SWE, Engineering Hall, etc. for recruitment and project purposes
Program Management Team
The program management team is responsible for:
- Overseeing the program budget,
- Developing a strategic plan to help Idaho VAST advance in capabilities and scope
- Defining, prioritizing and budgeting tasks for Idaho VAST projects
- Inventorying tools and supplies
- Developing rewards/incentive programs
