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Highlights of recent developments on the MiniSShot Project
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- Ed will be test-flying several of the avionics components at a June
14th launch event, with the kind assistance of James Yawn.
- With the help of Brent Dougherty, Rick Maschek will be test-flying the
recovery system at a June 28-29th launch event.
- Sam Grado has been successful in procuring a quotation for phenolic
casting tubes for the ProtoSShot-M Mark II motor (planned MiniSShot
motor). An order has been placed for nine of these tubes, which will
provide for up to 3 motor firings.
- Richard has begun testing of several candidate thermal ablative
materials. An improved ablative is being sought for the ProtoSShot-M
Mark II motor, and possible other future applications. The ablative
material used in the Mark I motor suffered from greater erosion than
desired. Materials being tested include several epoxy/microballoon
compositions, cork, silicone and EPDM rubbers.
- Dustin Brown has kindly offered to perform a microscopy examination on
samples of vacuum and non-vacuum treated microballoons. Richard has
subsequently sent samples to Dustin. Although the general consensus is
that no damage should occur, this will definitively answer the important
question as to whether microballoons are damaged when subjected to full
vacuum.
- Hans has ordered the Netburner 5213 and the corresponding development
kit ( a generous donation to the Project, thank you, Hans!) which will
serve to keep track of the two Chute Controller units. A "baseboard" is
also being designed by Hans. The plan is that the baseboard provides the
power supply and connectors needed for the Netburner unit. It will also
incorporate memory for on-board data storage of devices. The preliminary
schematic has 16 analog channels, facilitating the motor pressure sensor
(0-5V) and 5 temperature sensors (0-5V) and gyros and accelerometers.
Currently there are 2 unused 0-3V analog inputs, so if anyone has a need
or suggestion for these, please contact Hans without delay.
-Andre Alexandre has committed to completing the temperature sensing
avionics by the end of July, at which point the unit will be sent to
Hans for compatibility testing & integration with the Netburner unit.
- A Skype telecon was held today between Andrew, Richard and Shawn to
discuss further updates and improvements to the Sugar Shot website. Knut
will be composing some new graphics to enhance the appearance of certain
pages (such as the bio page). The website is certainly looking better
all the time -- thank you, Andrew, for your continued effort !
- Mario Escalante has begun doing CAD work supporting the design changes
to the ProtoSShot motor.
- Cliff Bates has completed the MiniSShot fin mould. Here is a photo of
the two halves of the stainless steel mould:
http://www.sugarshot.org/downloads/finmouldhalves.jpg
Thank you, Cliff, for your continued help with fabricating components
for the Sugar Shot projects. Your machining skills and dedication are
certainly appreciated.
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Contributions to the SugarShot program are always welcome and always
badly needed. For more information, see:
http://www.sugarshot.org/sponsors.html#Donors
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Project
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