SATELLITE ZEUS

GATEWAY TO SPACESATELLITE ZEUS

Team Lightning Rod

Christopher BennettMatthew Dickinson

Jesse EllisonMatthew Holmes

Trevor Luke Sushia RahimizadehAlex Shelanski

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1.0 Mission Overview

1.1 Statement The mission of Team Lightning Rod is to send Zeus, a cubic balloon satellite built from foam core and equipped with an electromagnetic generator, to an altitude of thirty kilometers and harness the vibrational energy experienced during its ascent and descent. A microcontroller will measure the amount of energy the electromagnetic generator produces. By analyzing the data collected, we will determine if future spacecraft will be able to utilize vibrational energy as an additional alternative energy source.

1.2 Goal and Background

The goal of this mission is to determine if vibrational energy can be harnessed as a supplemental energy source for future spacecraft. If this mission is successful, future spacecraft will be able to utilize this additional source of energy, therefore allowing their missions to be more secure and less likely to fail due to power complications. One of the most common reasons for spacecraft failure is power loss. Most satellites rely on stored battery power and solar energy to power their systems. Batteries are not ideal because they do not last infinitely and can only be recharged when solar panels receive direct sunlight. Solar panels limit the spacecraft because they must be large enough to provide energy. Thus, solar panels add a heavy weight restriction to the spacecraft. Also, solar panels are fragile and break easily when the satellite encounters debris or atmospheric turbulence. Solar panels are particularly vulnerable when the rectangular body of the solar panel extends out from the satellite and is narrowly attached to the structure. Because satellites are limited in their ability to power systems, energy supply is the satellites most important system. If power fails, all other systems fail. Thus, additional sources of power are greatly needed. Even though Vibrational Energy is not expected to fully power all satellite systems, it could prolong the life of a satellite and prevent mission failure.

2.0 Technical Overview

2.1 Concept

Utilizing principles defined by modern electromagnetic theory, two generators on-board Zeus will produce electricity derived from the mechanical oscillations of eight neodymium magnets near a fixed copper coil per generator. The vibrations will move the magnets, inducing a magnetic flux across the copper coil, as described by Faraday's Law. The magnetic flux across the copper coil will drive a current. The force on the charges from the magnetic field will oppose the change in magnetic flux and drive the current in the coil, according to Lenz's law.

Zeus will feature two electromagnetic generators. One will be placed horizontally, and one vertically. This will allow for the respective components of the vibrations to be collected. The generators will share a common electrical load. The horizontal generator will be placed near the center of the spacecraft, and the vertical generator will be placed near a wall. We believe this arrangement will optimize the vibrations captured by placing the generators in locations that better experience their respective components of the total vibration energy.

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There are four components that will be considered in the model design of the generator: a magnetic field, a coil, a vibrating mechanism, and an electric circuit (or load). A coil made of copper will be set fixed to the frame of the spacecraft and inside a set of randomly oscillating magnets. There will be two sets of magnets, four square neodymium magnets of alternating polarity for each set, each placed near one side of the copper coil. The vibrating mechanism, in the form of spring metal, will support the bidirectional movement of the magnets, which together will create a magnetic flux when experiencing an acceleration of force. The ends of the coil will be connected to a circuit capable of accumulating the power generated, as well as manipulating the current as desired to support the objectives of the experiment. Rubber stoppers will be placed on the generator structure to limit the magnets oscillation by contact between rubber and magnet, thereby preventing damage to the magnets and structure.

For the duration of the flight, energy will be harvested from the local environment via the generators and stored into a super-capacitor. Diodes will be used to regulate the direction of a dynamic current flow produced by the generator. A rectifier will be implemented in order to ensure a single output polarity, as well as a direct current instead of an alternating current. A full-wave bridge rectifier is preferred, as it will is more efficient than a half-wave rectifier. The rectifier is to be designed with 4 diodes arranged in a “diode bridge” configuration, a transformer, and the load. The rest of the electrical load will include two vibration sensors (measuring both the horizontal and vertical vibrations), a microcontroller capable of measuring volts and amps, a heater, a camera, a temperature sensor, a HOBO data logger, batteries, and accelerometer, and a basic stamp.

The data associated with the generator will be continuously recorded for the duration of the flight and stored on a separate data storage device. The information that will be stored onto the HOBO will include the data from all of the sensors and the camera. We will analyze the temperature and humidity data using the HOBO’s “Boxcar” program and analyze the generator data using a separate software program. We will match data from both the HOBO and Microcontroller Data Storage on a single timeline and determine any existing correlations. The super-capacitor will also play a role in the retrieval of the experiment data during testing and after launch and recovery, as it will be another method of observing how much power was produced and stored.

2.2 Plan

First, we will order all of hardware including magnets, copper wire, spring steel, plexi-glass, machine screws, a super capacitor, a microcontroller, a data storage device, insulated copper wire, a camera, and two switches. We will then cut the plexi-glass and form the basic structure of the generator. After creating the structure of the generator, we will attach the spring steel to the plexi-glass using machine screws. The magnets will then be attached on the end of the spring steel, and the copper wire will be placed between the magnets. This will be our generator for Zeus. The generator will then need to be tested to make sure that our conceptual design works, and we will make the necessary alterations to create as efficient of a generator as possible. The next system we will create will be the structure of Zeus. To begin constructing the structure, we will cut foam core into the 2-dimensional cube pattern. We will then transform the 2-dimensional cube pattern into a 3-dimensional cube. The holes for the string attachment will be cut and the string attachment will be added to the cube through two washers, a tube, and the paper clips. Testing of the cube’s durability will ensue with the Whip Test, Drop Test, and Kick

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Test. Once we know that the structure is a durable design, we will create a second generator and assemble all electronics according to the functional block diagram. Finally, we will test our constructed project with a Cold Test and a vibration test to make sure that everything is insulated and working properly. We will make necessary changes, place our contact information and an American flag on Zeus, and then launch it.

2.3 Design

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External Wire Feed

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2.4 Testing

Team Lightning Rod will test Zeus’ Thunder, our custom generator, and the structure of our satellite. First, we will test our payload to make sure that it will actually convert vibration energy to electrical energy. To do this, we will hook Zeus’ Thunder, the generator, to an Oscillameter in the ITLL and determine if our design will produce a significant amount of energy up at 30 km. After we determine that our generator will work, we will test the integrity of our satellite and its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and collisions. To test its ability to withstand collision, we will subject our prototype structure to a battery of tests that will simulate its descent after the balloon pops. We will do a whip test, in which we will attach our prototype to a string, similar to the one used on launch day, and swing it around in circles. This will test both the ability of our structure to endure the whipping motion after burst as well as our Structures ability to maintain a good hold onto the flight rope. We will then do a series of drops from varying height. In this test we will drop our structure from different points of height in order to find its weak points so that we can fix it for the launch day. We will then kick the structure down the stairs. This will simulate the vibrations that will be experienced after burst, as well as simulate rolling after recovery.

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2.5 Safety

To ensure that all parties involved with and working on Zeus remain unharmed, the following safety precautions must be abided by. First, all persons working with or around dangerous machinery must follow safety procedures and wear recommended safety equipment such as gloves and goggles. When soldering and working on the microcontroller, team members will be grounded and use proper techniques. During the testing phase of construction of Zeus, all team members will be clear of the satellite at a safe distance to observe unscathed. Bystanders will also be warned of the tests and asked to stay clear of the testing area. When tests involving dangerous materials are to be preformed, all team members will know and use proper safety precautions and handle hazardous materials with care. Lastly, on test day, all members of Team Lightning Rod not involved in the launch will stand back at a reasonable distance to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

2.6 Special Features

Zeus will be equipped with an entirely custom part specific to its mission. The name of this part is Zeus’ Thunder. It is a generator that converts satellite vibrations to energy. The design consists of oscillating magnets that move across a coil of wire to produce electromagnetic energy. Two of these generators will be placed in the vessel Zeus; one to capture vertical vibrations, and one to capture horizontal vibrations. By orienting the generators vertically and horizontally, Team Lightning Rod will be able to determine the optimal position for absorbing the satellites vibration. Another special aspect of Team Lightning Rod’s satellite is that every component, besides the hobo, will be wired to and controlled by the microcontroller. This will allow for seamless operation of the systems on board.

2.7 Requirements

Requirement Page # addressedShall collect and analyze data through additional experiments 3BalloonSat should be returned working 6Flight String interface tube 6Keeping internal temperature above -10C 6Total wieght shall not exceed 850g 10Acquire ascent and descent rates of the flight string 3Allow for HOBO 3Allow for external temperature cable 3Allow for Camera 4Allow for Heater 4Shall be made of foam core 1Parts list and budget shall include spare parts 10Have contact information written on the outside, along with flag 4Proposal, design, and other units shall be in metric ThroughoutLaunch day schedule 9No one shall get hurt 6All hardware should get returned working we do so agreeKeep detailed budget 10All purchases shall have receipts we do so agreeHave fun and be creative ThroughoutNothing alive will be permitted as payload we do so agree

2.7 Functional Block Diagram

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3.0 Management Overview

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3.1 Team

Christopher Bennett

STRUCTURE CO-HEAD

719-760-2210 Christopher.Bennett@Colorado.edu

Chris is from Limon, Colorado. Because he grew up in small town, Chris was exposed to a wide variety of activities in. He has also learned much about hard work and dedication from working on the family buffalo ranch and the local restaurant Oscar’s Bar & Grille. He graduated Limon High School with a 4.0 GPA, 45 college credits, and as the valedictorian of his class. He now is a freshman at the University of Colorado and is looking forward to utilizing his skills in public speaking, academics, constructing, and team building to excel in his Gateway to Space class.

Matthew Dickinson

STRUCTURE CO-HEAD

704-839-1254 Matthew.Dickinson@Colorado.edu

Matthew is currently a freshman in the aerospace engineering program. He is from Matthews, NC and went to Charlotte Latin School for lower, middle, and high school. His strengths are definitely math and science. Matthew has one brother, who is currently attending community college and training MMA. He is interested in aerospace engineering because he loves science, space, and building/designing stuff. He really enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, and most other outdoor activities.

Jesse EllisonELECTRONICS HEAD

970-759-1415 Jesse.Ellison@Colorado.edu

Jesse was born in Durango, Colorado in August of 1991. He has strong interests in science and has been building his own electronic projects since he was nine. Jesse has participated in Science Fair for the past four years and won two second place awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He loves to build things and solving problems.

Matt Holmes BUDGET303-718-6602 Matthew.Holmes@Colorado.edu

Matt is from Arvada, Colorado and is currently a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder as an Open Option Engineering Major. He graduated with honors from Ralston Valley high school in spring of 2010 and was the salutatorian of his class. During high school, he participated in groups such as National Honor Society and played Varsity Ice Hockey for three of his four years at Ralston Valley. He also achieved a score of five on his AP Calculus BC exam in his junior year. Matt grew up loving space. He is enthralled by the immensity and marvel of the universe and hopes to become a successful engineer in the aerospace industry.

Trevor LukeTEAM LEADER/ SCHEDULER

720-270-4532 Trevor.Luke@Colorado.edu

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Trevor is currently a freshman majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He was born in Westminster Colorado and has 4 siblings. Trevor graduated from Centaurus High School at the top of his class with a 4.75 GPA and with honors in engineering, AP, and NHS. He is an Eagle Scout and is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Trevor’s strengths are in organization, leading, and problem solving. He loves to play and compose music and has taken piano lessons for 11 years. Trevor also is a competitive long distance runner, with personal records of a 4:38 mile, a 10:13 2-mile, a 17:28 5K, and a 36:56 10k.

Sushia Rahimizadeh

MISSION DESIGNER/ PROGRAMER

720-435-7065 Sushians.Rahimizadeh@Colorado.edu

Sushia is currently a sophomore majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a concentration in aerospace technology. His strengths are in the area of programming and circuit design. His interests are in competitive sports and watching movies.

Alex ShelanskiTESTING/ VIDEO HEAD

757-348-2248 Alexander.Shelanski@Colorado.edu

Alex is from a military family and has lived in 7 places across the world. He spent most of his time growing up in Norfolk, Va. In High school Alex did Navy Junior ROTC and was the Battalion Commander, which gave him excellent opportunities to exercise his leadership skills with over 150 people that he was responsible for. Alex graduated with honors from high school and with several AP Credits. He swam long distance for his high school and has always been motivated and determined to finish anything that he starts. Some of Alex’s special skills include problem solving, building anything, figuring out ways to improve his designs, and leading people.

3.2 Schedule

Proposals and Presentations—Due 9/16 by 7:00 amOrder Form for Hardware—Due 9/21 by AppointmentReceive Supplies—9/24 Build Structure—9/24 to 10/1Build First Generator—9/24 to 10/1Completion of First Generator and Structure—10/2Optimization of Generator—10/2 to 10/8Structure Testing—10/2 to 10/8

Finalization of First Generator—10/9Wiring of Satellite—10/10 to 10/15Finalization of Structure—10/13Second Generator Competed—10/13Wiring Components Completed—10/16Programming Satellite—10/17 to 10/22Final Construction Completed—10/23Final Testing—10/24 to 10/29Project Finished—10/30Buffer Week—10/31 to 11/5Launch—11/6

3.2 Budget

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