10-15-09 0.

7 mm Engineering Hall Annex Golden, CO 80401 Project Managers: Tamara Carey EPICS Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO 80401 Subject: Project Plan

Introduction
Point Seven Millimeters is a team of engineering students from Colorado School of Mines with diverse backgrounds and specialties. We are a diligent and intelligent group of people who implement teamwork, diligence, and innovation to complete our projects and goals in a timely manner.

Project Definition
Lockheed Martin has designed many high-altitude vehicles that operate in the Stratosphere mainly using solar energy. These vehicles use a lot of energy and current solar collection methods have been deemed inefficient. The current methods for gathering solar energy only utilize the absorbed, direct solar radiation, yet there are two types of albedo, white-sky and black-sky, that are believed to be rich in energy. Our goal for this project is to design an experimental device that will be balloon-lifted to measure the energy levels of these albedos in the Stratosphere, 60,000 to 80,000 feet in elevation, and to determine what percentage of these energy sources can be collected and employed on high-altitude vehicles.

Project Constraints
Our team plans to execute this project in the most efficient way possible while adhering to all constraints. The design apparatus will collect and measure the solar energy of the two albedos and also the direct radiation while being able to sort it from one another using several solar panels in different directions and also with the aid of a digital camera or video recorder. The various constraints the design are such that it must weigh less than 1.5 kilograms, and a Dacron cord of 4.0mm must pass through a hole in the center of the instrument with the holes diameter not exceeding 6.4mm. Also, on the balloon flight there will be many instruments being flown and the default spacing is that of 1 meter. Our project design will remain within all of the structural design requirements including the material, thermal, environmental, electrical, and

structural systems that are specified in section 3 of the DemoSat User Guide. It shall also include a National Instruments (NI) Single board RIO PowerPC based system supplied by Lockheed Martin and undergo many rigorous structural and functional testing specified in section 5 of the User Guide before it is to be deemed ready for flight.

Project Progression
Our team has already completed the creative phase of the design process. This phase included identifying the projects needs, a clarification memorandum, defining the problem given to us, a letter of understanding of the project, gathering data, and preparing the project plan. We have achieved these things through numerous meetings in class and also during extracurricular hours.

Project Designs Taylors

Our diamond shaped design is very plausible and efficient. The diamond design allows for view on all sides and protection for what impact may be ensued. The structure that was chosen for this option was made out of aluminum, which we decided would be the best material not only because it is extremely strong but also it is lightweight and a relatively inexpensive. For insulation we chose Aerogel because it is an extremely good insulator and it is also a really lightweight which helps us get under the 1.5 kg limit. The inside of our diamond will have multiple instruments that will help us not only measure the albedo but also the pressure, temperature, solar energy, taking pictures and a data recording device. For the albedo and solar energy we will be using solar panels, and for the pressure we will be using and altimeter. For temperature we will have a thermometer and we will have 3 digital cameras so we can get an overall view of what it really looks like around the balloon. The camera will be set on a timer to take a picture every 10 seconds so we can pinpoint the type of energy bouncing off the earth. The data collector will also be simultaneously recording the temperature, pressure, and solar radiation so we can determine the optimal height for flight, etc. And in addition we will coat the diamond in gold foil because of its great reflective properties. (Figure 1)

Marks
This satellite will be constructed in line with the Demostat regulations. The basic shape that was chosen for this design is a cube. An addition to the basic cube is the tube on the left side of the satellite. It is designed to hold the motor that will change the angle of the solar panel, which is positioned at end of the tube. The solar panel doesnt need to be large, just big enough to collect the data of the albedo power. There will be three different angles for the solar panel to be set at. One would be to collect the direct solar radiation, the other. The two two inch holes on the bottom of the device are for the cameras to be set in. The cameras are recessed into the cube so that the fisheye lenses dont get damaged when the payload hits the ground. The fisheye lenses are designed to help get an overall view of the surroundings. With the reuse of this device

in mind everything need to be able to withstand the requirements of the fall. Something that was included in the design of this satellite is a heater. This will be to make sure that the components stay at their respective operating temperatures. Another item that will be included in the design is the data collection device. This will be connected to the camera, altimeter, solar panels, and the motor. The batteries are also a crucial part of this device. We need to bring just enough power up to the stratosphere as we need. It would be optimal to use the power generated from the solar panels to power the computer and the motor, but without knowing the exact amount of power that the solar panels can generate, we cant depend on them as a source of energy. The motor will need to be able to communicate the angle that the solar panel is pointed at so we can know whether we are collecting direct solar radiation or albedo. The auto leveling system is designed to keep the device level with the ground at all times. In consists of a metal ball that in encased with another metal surface. These two metal surfaces would be very low friction so that the payload could swivel easily. This system is the most complicated system of the satellite. This is our second design option which measures the white and black sky albedo as well as the direct solar radiation. (Figure 2)

Ians
In one of our proposed designs, our measurement device would be efficient in finding out exactly how much solar radiation comes off from the albedo, both black sky and white sky. The proposed shape of the entire device is a cube with chamfered edges between the sides so that there is at least some aerodynamic shape to the casing. We do not have to worry too much about aerodynamics as our device will most likely be underneath other devices in the chain and will definitely be underneath the balloon which the device chain will draft behind. Our solar panels will be located on the lower and upper chamfered edges so we do not have to take in to account blockage from the other devices that are below and above ours on the device chain. These will be connected to the National Instruments (NI) Single Board RIO measurement device that is configured to measure amps running through the photovoltaic cells in the panels. The photovoltaic cells will be measuring the black sky, white sky, and direct solar radiation. Of course, the NI device will be located in the center of the case in a foam (or other impact resistant material) envelope to keep the device from being damaged from impact with the sidewalls of the case and to raise the insulative R value. This proposed design would also include a barometer connected to the NI device to measure the altitude of the apparatus. This way we would be able to correlate height of device vs. amount of solar radiation harvestable. Alternatively, we could include a radio altimeter to correlate the two variables. The decisive factors in that issue will be weight, size, and/or cost of each item. On the bottom of the payload, we will include a camera that would take a picture of what we are measuring with the solar panels. In order to work around the fact that there will most likely be a payload underneath ours, we will attach a fish-eye lens onto our camera to get a 360 view of what we are measuring. These photos will be of use when the data is being observed after the flight. It will help researchers identify spikes or troughs or other phenomena in the height vs. solar radiation harvestable graph. We will program our camera and our NI device to take one picture/record data every 10 seconds to save battery and memory. In order for our payload not to swing about during the flight (so our data doesnt have to take into account changing angles with the earth), we will ideally have gyroscopes attached to our casing. These will act in the same way as a bike wheel keeps a bike up straight while

spinning. The reason why there would be two is to assist the gyroscopes and help eliminate any possibility of rotation around any axis. These two gyroscopes will spin in opposite directions so that the device as a whole does not rotate around the Dacron cord. As a final consideration about the temperature inside the casing, our casing walls will be lined on the inside with a similar foam (lighter and with a higher insulative R value) and the outside will be coated with light gold foil to reflect the heat back inside the device so it keeps its heat. (Figure 3)

Final Design
In the end, 0.7mm chose Taylors design as the final project design based on a lot of reasons. The decision was based on feasibility. It will be the easiest to make, and will be very effective. Ians design was the best overall design but had too much that could go wrong with it and it possibly would have been too much weight. His gyroscope was a great idea but that also was one of the variables that could have been thrown off, because the motors could be spinning at different speeds or the motors might just stop working. Ians design is too complicated for what we are provided yet it is still a good and fascinating option. (Table 1) Marks design had potential but lacked certain necessities. For example, he proposed only one solar panel, which would have made it very difficult to measure the albedo and the solar energy. If we added another panel it could have thrown off the weight balance because the weight is distributed so that the single solar panel can be detached from the box and rotate according to certain measurements. Taylors design is fairly simple and the most feasible. It does not require many components to keep it from falling off balance and it gets the job done over and beyond. The type of information that will be gathered from this idea will exceed all expectations because of its ability to measure so many different factors and it can take photos on three sides. It is expected to also provide the most detail. The only drawback to this design is the expense. It will be extremely costly to provide the Aerogel for the entire design but it is an expense we are willing to spare.

Project Schedule
We are now in the critical phase of our project. This phase includes the definition of subsystem in which each team member will pick a subsystem of the project and describe the system in great detail and work the logistics of that subsystem with the rest of the device (week of Nov. 10). We will also be developing specifications in the critical phase. This will include developing how each subsystem will actually fit together. The dimensions of the satellite will also be determined during this stage(weeks of October 12th 19th, 26th). Analyzing feasibility is another step in the critical phase. That includes determining if the project that has been designed is a possible and realistic solution to the problem (week of Nov. 3rd). The subsystem analysis is the next step and includes determining if the subsystems need to be changed to work better together (week of Nov. 10th). The next step is to develop a marketing stratagem. This will consist of deciding how to propose and present the project to the client (week of Nov. 24th). Preparing and executing the design plan, which is the next step, consists of putting together all the subsystems and making the model of the design (weeks of Dec 8th and 15th). The final stage of

our project will be the report and exhibition. This step includes presenting the project to the client (week of the 15th). We expect to complete our task by (week of the 15th). (Table 2)

Summary
This team is ecstatic to work on this project to better our understanding of albedo absorption and to witness the applications of such knowledge in the near future. Thank you greatly for the opportunity to advance our knowledge in the pursuit of better and stronger solar power. We feel very grateful to have this opportunity to work for you and would like to take this time to ask your approval to proceed with our plan to design and provide for you a representative model. Thank you so much for your time. We cannot wait to begin working on this fascinating project.

Sincerely,

Jake Reece, Team Liaison Team Point Seven Millimeters jreece@mines.edu (719) 287-2704

Citations
Popa, Adrian. "Re: Why was gold colored foil on lunar landing equipment?." madsci.org . 05 Jul 2001. madsci.org, Web. 15 Oct 2009. <http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2001-07/994536402.Es.r.html>.

Brain, Marshall. "How Gyroscopes Work." HowStuffWorks . HowStuffWorks, Inc., Web. 15 Oct 2009. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/gyroscope.htm>.

"NASA JPL Stardust." Aerogel . 01 Mar 2005. NASA, Web. 12 Oct 2009. <http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/tech/aerogel.html>.

Hughes, C., M. Glavin, E. Jones, and P. Denny. "Wide-angle camera technology for automotive applications: a review." Automotive Fish-Eye Lens . 04 Jul 2008. IET Intelligent Transport Systems, Web. 15 Oct 2009. <http://www.car.nuigalway.ie/documents/chughes_ietautomotivefisheye.pdf>.

"Barometer." HowStuffWorks . HowStuffWorks, Inc., Web. 12 Oct 2009. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/barometer-info.htm>.

"Aerogel." United Nuclear Scientific Equipment and Supplies. 2009. 2009 United Nuclear Scientific LLC., Web. 12 Oct 2009. <https://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPat =16_17_69&products_id=89>.

"NI Single-Board RIO Embedded Systems." National Instrument. 2009. National Instruments Corporation, Web. 12 Oct 2009. <http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/205865>.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Table 1 Design Ian Taylor Mark

Cost 4 1 3

Effectiveness Ease of Use Durability Feasability Overall 7 4 7 5 8 8 6 9 7 3 4 4

27 32 21

Scale 1-worst 10-best

Table 2 Project Schedule Project: High Altitude Albedo Measurements Number: 3 Month: October November December Week of: 12th 19th 26th 3rd 10th 17th 24th 1st 8th 15th WEEK # 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Prepare project plan ~ ~ Critical Phase Define subsystems ~ ~ Develop specs/gather data ~ ~ ~ Analyze feasability ~ Subsystem analysis memo ~ Integrate subsystems ~ Develop marketing strategy ~ Prepare design plan ~ Final report ~ Final exhibition ~