MAE 435 Fall 2013

Space debris are a serious hazard to continued Space exploration Dead CubeSats are hard to track De-Orbit Device Project aimed at Prototype for 1U CubeSats

De-orbit Device Project is multidepartment effort between the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Departments MAE 435 Groups goal to build the physical prototype

The new polyester film has been received. The valves and sealer have arrived. Construction of the inflatable has started.

What is your overpressure? (If you inflate the bag with benzoic acid vapor, your overpressure will be extremely small, but you wont have the gravity problems). Do the wrinkles move about during inflation or does the pattern persist? (Is there a way to predict the size and location of the wrinkles?) Most importantly. You have the deflated dimensions of your pillow (that is your baseline cross sectional areaa key element in predicting the aerodynamic drag). Can you measure the actual cross sectional area of the inflated pillow and can you measure it as a function of inflation pressure?

Our team had developed a prototype heating element consisting of electric wire and powered by 4 AA batteries. We are looking at alternative heating sources due to size and power constraints. An E-cigarette is a viable option.

A = LED Light Cover B = Battery C = Atomizer (heating element) D = Cartridge

Much smaller than original prototype Can reach higher temperatures Integrating deconstructing E-cigarette into CubeSat for remote activation Connecting E-cigarette cartridge to the inflatable balloon.

Place the gasket on top of the membrane Have the sharp edges rounded out

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Thank you!