Mission-Critical details
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Working groups
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Tim has created a list of areas that need immediate attention that people can work on: The Website, the Checklist, Inspection, the Launch Site, PR, and the Camera mount. I've put more information at the end of the message.
September launch
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26 Sep - 31 Sep (two weeks from now)
Prep update:
The inspection team will report back on how the rocket has survived sitting all summer.
New systems update:
Tim has not heard back from NDSU. As it is, the Telemetry and Wireless Ignition systems are not yet tested. We will still have John's wire-launch system as a backup as with the first launch.
Launch site update:
The land out by Larimore has not yet been harvested and is full of corn.
We will have to speak with the landowners to determine if we can use Ray's place to launch. Otherwise, we may have to consider the Fargo or Towner sites sooner than planned.
October launch
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18 Oct - 22 Oct (five weeks from now)
Prep update:
The payload tube has been bondoed and has the first primer coat on.
Additional primer and sanding will be required. The camera window and mount will have to be designed and implemented. We have two N2000 motors on hand, we only need one for this launch.
New systems update:
Pablo brought up the issue of mass-balancing the camera payload. We considered placing a dead weight or a redundant camera mount on the opposite side of the payload bay.
Pablo also brought up the idea of a live broadcast of the camera video to the ground site. Pablo has two transmitters suitable for the task.
Which one we use depends on how much power we need and how safely we can mount them. Also, if a transmitter is used, at launch someone will have to track the rocket with an antenna, as the signal is highly directional.
Launch site update:
Ray's farm should be harvested by the time of this launch, but we will need to keep people 1000 ft (300 m) away. If this cannot be done there, we'll have to look at another place.
May launch
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TBD (8 months away)
We still plan on using 5 engines for this launch. The launch site has yet to be determined.
Meeting details
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We watched some videos from other projects at Cal-Irvine and San Diego State. Irvine was attempting a hybrid launch, which did not succeed.
San Diego State's was using liquid engines, and also did not work properly.
Tim's vision for STRIPE has us moving toward a hybrid launcher in the future. Pablo stated that it will take at least 18 months and $10,000 to make such a rocket. If funding is available, we might begin next year.
Tim assigned a few main working groups for the tasks we need to complete (details right at the bottom). You can still participate even if you haven't signed up yet. Group meeting times haven't been set yet, but the website group will be having a meeting with Tim Thursday (tomorrow) at 12:30pm.
Will has gotten some fundraising leads. Tim stated that we have funding commitments from both the Physics and Engineering departments. There are also still funds left over from last year. We don't have any private donors yet but it's not ruled out.
We're also trying to work out just what caused the wide difference in reported altitude between the two GWIZ flight computers (one reported a flight of 2800 ft (850 m), and the other reported about 400 ft (120 m) less. We're focusing in on recorder start times, or barometer error.
John offered to test the computers on a model aircraft flight before the September launch, but Tim wasn't sure it was necessary. Johnathan suggested adding flight computer and reference barometer measurements to the preflight checklist.
We discussed some recruiting ideas. Meagan suggested several ideas for campus outreach, including a campuswide e-mail.
The payload competition rules have been finalized, and the posters are going to be made up Thursday (tomorrow). It will also be on the website. Entries are due by November 2. Selected competitors will recieve a small rocket and up to $500 to purchase equipment. The best projects will then go on our 25000 foot (7600 m) flight in May.
Current Project Areas
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STRIPE Website
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To be done: Uploading pictures, news, etc.
People needed: 2 to 3 people.
Presently signed up: Johnathan, Matt, Meagan.
Prelaunch checklist
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To be done: Collecting comments from the group, reviewing notes from the original launch, Remembering things we forgot (wingnuts, wrenches, silicone grease) and updating the checklist accordingly.
People needed: 2 people.
Presently signed up: Tricia.
Equipment inspection
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To be done: Verifying the integrity of the rocket and components, checking the trailer, winches, batteries, etc.
People needed: 2 people.
Presently signed up: Johnathan, Will
Launch site procurement
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To be done: Calling landowners near Larimore site, reviewing University insurance coverage for potential launches at Fargo site.
People needed: 1 person.
Presently signed up: No one.
Public Relations
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To be done: Campus outreach, Contacting the media, crowd control at launches, etc.
People needed: 2 people.
Presently signed up: Becca, Johnathan, Lindsay, Will
Camera Payload
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To be done: Priming/Sanding, design, and mounting People needed: 2 or 3 people.
Presently signed up: Johnathan, Matt, Pablo, Will
