RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Individual Subsystem Testing Report WVU Rocketeers West Virginia University 2/14/ Team Members Justin Yorick Ben Provence Mike Spencer Student Advisor Marc Gramlich Faculty advisor Dimitris Vassiliadis

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Mission Overview The mission seeks to measure several variables of the upper atmospheric environment and record the dynamics of a contained plasma in a microgravity setting. 2

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Functional Block Diagrams 3 PSS DPE RPE GHGE FD CRE Power Data

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR FBD: Cosmic Ray Experiment 4 Power Data/ Control Legend Flash Memory Geiger Counter Power Board Micro Controller CRE Geiger Tube (1) Geiger Tube (3) Geiger Tube (2) Geiger Tube (4)

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR FBD: Flight Dynamics Board 5 Power Data Legend FD Power Board Magnetometer Inertial Motion Sensor Thermistor Z axis Breakout Board Flash Memory Gyroscope Netburner Commands / Control Other Experiments

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR FBD: Greenhouse Gas Experiment 6 Power Data/ Control GHGE Dynamic Atmospheric Inlet High Pressure Manifold Solenoid Controlled Airflow Static Atmospheric Outlet Low Pressure Manifold Pressure and Temperature Sensors H 2 O Vapor (Humidity) Sensors NDIR CO 2 Sensor PSS Micro Controller Flash Memory Unvalved Airflow Pneumatic Cylinder Experimental Volume Optical Encoder Linear Actuator and Solenoid Controllers

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR FBD: Plasma Experiment 7 PSS 555 Circuit Primary Step up transformer DIAC switch Secondary Step up transformers Specimen Control Volume Camera FD Power Data

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Changes from CDR The design of the DPE has been modified. The experiment now seeks to measure plasma convection under microgravity conditions. The other subsystems remain largely unchanged from the CDR. 8

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Program Management and Team Updates Mike Spencer has joined the team. The team organizational structure remains largely unchanged since last semester. 9

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Schedule Update As of this point, the CRE and FD are have corrected design and are in the component ordering phase. The GHGE has been modeled and simulated. The required parts have arrived and construction will begin pending machining of the brackets. With the addition of Mike Spencer to the team, and resolution of conflicts with WFF, parts are ready to be ordered for this system. The DPE will be constructed from an off the shelf plasma globe. Construction will begin once a product of proper size and power output is chosen (~ 1 week) 10

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Subsystem Overview Flight Dynamics Subsystem: Marc Gramlich Cosmic Ray Experiment: Marc Gramlich Greenhouse Gas Experiment: Ben Provence Dusty Plasma Experiment: Justin Yorick Radio Plasma Experiment: Justin Yorick 11

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Dusty Plasma Subsystem Update Status –The DPE will use an off the shelf system to generate the plasma streamers in this experiment. –Designs and fabrication techniques for a custom made glass control volume have been discussed with technicians in the WVU Chemistry Department. 12

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Radio Plasma Experiment Update As discussed in previous communications, the RPE design has been finalized and cleared with WFF. Ground testing will be limited to measurement of transmission output since we cannot reproduce the ionospheric plasma in the lab 13

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Flight Dynamics Subsystem Update Status –The PCB’s for this subsystem have been fully revised and are ready for ordering –PCBs below, schematics on next few slides 14

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Flight Dynamics Sensor Circuits Schematic 15

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Power Circuits Schematic 16

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Greenhouse Gas Subsystem Update Status –Mechanical elements have been modeled further in Creo Elements Pneumatic plumbing has been designed using manufacturer CAD files of actual components to ensure proper fit Simulation confirms design choices for components that will be produced by the WVU Physics dept. machine shop. –Control system development is underway Software FBD complete Microcontroller programming cannot be completed until physical prototype is constructed 17

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Greenhouse Gas Subsystem Update All critical hardware has been tested (static analysis) to ensure that deformations are within an acceptable range and that maximum stresses do not exceed material yield strength. –Analyses of the two most critical of these components, the lower main bracket, and the CV door are highlighted on the next two slides 18

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Greenhouse Gas Subsystem Update 19

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Greenhouse Gas Subsystem Update 20

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Greenhouse Gas Subsystem Update Deformations in areas of concern were small: on the order of 10^-5 inches Maximum stress predicted is 5.18 KSI, while the yield strength of 6061-T6, the alloy chosen for the custom parts is about 35 KSI 21

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Greenhouse Gas Subsystem Update Although brackets are presently still in the machine shop, we have test-fitted some components of the linear actuator. 22

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Greenhouse Gas Subsystem Update 23 Subsystem expected to be completed around the first week of May.

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Lessons Learned Subsystem testing is a verification of design. Since the team spent extra time on simulation and calculation of key parameters, it seems less time will have to be spent on making corrections later on. At this point, it seems like making critical design choices earlier could have led to faster completion times, but not necessarily better results. Extensive simulation enables the team to be more confident in the final design, minimizing valuable time spent on design revisions closer to launch the date. 24

RockSat-C 2011 ISTR Conclusions At this point, construction of the subsystem mechanical components needs to be finalized. After completion of mechanical elements, software components can be tested to ensure proper individual system operation. Pending successful completion of this stage, the payload will be ready for total system testing. 25