Project VOLT
2012
Colorado Space Grant Consortium
GATEWAY TO SPACE
FALL 2012
DESIGN DOCUMENT
Team SPIRIT of the Koala
Project VOLT
Written by:
Anthony Anglin, Starteya Pais, Colin Harkins, Thomas Jefferies, Dustin Fishelman, Joao Mansur,
Andrew Trujillo, Dylan Cooper
10/22/12
Revision A/B
Project VOLT
2012
1.0: Mission Overview
The mission of Project VOLT is to prove the feasibility of using the flow of atmosphere across the surface
of the BalloonSat during flight to generate current by allowing the structure to rotate independently of the
tube attached to the flight string. Team SPIRIT of the Koala, expects to discover that using the spin of the
structure with magnets rotating through coils of wire on the inside will generate current and voltage. This
is passed of the premise of Faraday’s laws, known as the electromagnetic induction. Faraday proved that
when a bar magnet lays stationary with respect to the loop, there is no current, but when motion occurs
current is induced. (ε =−dΦB/dt) This shows that the current produced in the coil of wire is proportional
to the negative of the rate of change of magnetic flux. Since this is a law, it is known that when the
magnet moves through the wire there will be current, when the magnet passes through the loop during
flight, there must be evidence of current. During the flight, we predict a variation in the levels of current
that will be generated; this is due to the fact that in the beginning of the flight there is more wind and
turbulence while being closer to the ground. As the flight ascends, the amount of wind decreases with
altitude and the spin will decrease. To diminish this problem, Team SPIRIT of the Koala will create
several different types of fins made out of foam core. Each set will be tested individually in both the
wind tunnel and spun by hand to determine which of the designs created will allow for the most spin and
create the most current. The reason for conducting this mission is to determine the feasibility of using
wind to power experiments in future BalloonSats. A major flaw too many BalloonSat experiments is the
amount of voltage needed to run the entire project. If using spin to generate current concludes to be very
efficient, the idea could be used on others instead of using batteries. It can also be applied to RocketSats,
because the rocket spins will launching and this could be used to power experiments on that as well. At
the end of the mission, the data collected on the Arduino inside the BalloonSat will be compared to the
amount of voltage drained from the batteries used to run the experiment, this will be done by placing a
voltage/current sensor up against the batteries ends and saving the data to a computer. From this data, we
will be able to conclude if the amount of spin obtained was enough to run our project. Team SPIRIT of
the Koala hopes to prove that a least a little amount of current will be generated, which will give hope for
future experiments of this kind and with the data collected, can be repeated and improved to ensure that in
the future much more current is created by the spin of the BalloonSat, and that it will eventually be able to
power its own experiments. A GO PRO will also be part of the experiment to enhance the amount of
outside interest in BalloonSats, especially for outreach programs. It will assist in displaying our
experiment at the design expo, demonstrating what the flight experience was like.
1.) "Faraday's Laws and Magnetic Induction." MIT Physics Notes. MIT, n.d. Web.
<http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-02sc-physics-ii-electricity-and-magnetism-fall2010/faradays-law/MIT8_02SC_notes21.pdf>.
2.)"Faraday's Laws." Hyper-Physics. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. <http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/farlaw.html>.
Project VOLT
2012
2.0: Requirements Flow Down
This Requirements flow down chart will guide us in project development. It is used to keep our project
on track and for us to verify each requirement as traceable, necessary, verifiable, attainable, and clear.
Our level zero requirements are derived from the RFP requirements and our mission statement. These
primary systems are labeled A-E with their corresponding sub-systems.
Project VOLT
2012
Project VOLT
2012
3.0: Design Overview
3.01: Design Plan
Project Volt’s structure will accommodate for all necessary systems. Team SOK will build a prototype
balloonsat that will be used for all ground testing. At this moment all materials have been purchased or
received. If we need more structural materials they are available at the Gateway Store. Team SOK will
adhere to the schedule and complete all tasks to ensure a successful flight. During the testing process if
we find that a redesign is necessary we will address it quickly and effectively. Since the primary
objectives of generating rotational velocity relies upon our fin design, we will perform multiple tests and
try different designs to ensure this system works on the ground before flight. We understand that this has
been a primary objective of previous flights and they have failed. By thoroughly testing this system we
will ensure completion of this objective. Following recovery of our balloonsat we will collect and
analyze all data recorded from the flight. We will correlate our power from our generator with the power
drawn from our Arduino systems.
3.02: Structure
The mission is going to be completed by building a 16x16x16 cm cube made out of foam core. It will be
held together with hot glue and aluminum tape. Fins will be glued to the outside of the structure, one four
for each side of the cube. The design of the fins has not been determined yet, because that is part of our
testing experiment, to see which design will create the most spin. The inside of the cube will be lined with
one or two layers of thermal insulation to ensure the BalloonSat is kept warm during flight. Through the
top and bottom will be a hole, each filled with a ceramic stainless steel bearing. The flight tube will go
through the middle of the BalloonSat and be held in place by a string tied in a figure eight knot.
3.03: Camera and GO PRO
Two holes will be cut opposite of each other to allow the camera and GO PRO the ability to see outside of
the BalloonSat, both cameras will have a switch, the GO PRO will be connected to a 32GB SD card and
the Canon will be connected to a 2 GB SD card to record the pictures and video of the flight.
3.04: Generating Current
Inside the cube, magnets will be placed towards the top and will be glued perpendicular to the flight tube.
The magnets need to be as far away from the flight data as possible to ensure they will not disturb the
programming. On two sides of the BalloonSat, separate coils of wire will be hanging from the roof
parallel to the flight tube. These will be placed a certain distance from the magnets, to ensure that the
magnets can rotate freely through the coils of wire. Each end of the wires will fall down to the bottom and
be attached to a current/ voltage sensor.
3.04: Arduinos and Other Sensors
This sensor will be attached to an Arduino unit with a shield and micro SD card in order to record the data
from the experiment and the Arduino will be powered by 9V batteries. A heater will be attached with a
switch inside the cube as well that will also be powered by 9V batteries. Next to the heater will be another
Project VOLT
2012
Arduino unit with a shield and micro SD card. This Arduino will have a relative humidity sensor, internal
temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and attached to an external temperature sensor that will be placed on
the outside of the BalloonSat.
3.05: Parts/Hardware Needed
Canon Camera (given by Space Grant), a GO PRO (bought by a team member), neodymium magnets
(apexmagnets.com), voltage/current sensor (sparkfun.com), coils of wire (Home Depot),
Arduinos/Shields/SD cards (given by Space Grant), all other sensors (given by Space Grant).
3.06: Parts Ordered and Received
Ordered Parts: Neodymium magnets, Sealed ceramic stainless steel ball bearings, Current and voltage
sensor
Order Status: Magnets: Ordered, received. Bearings: Ordered, received. Current Sensor: Ordered,
received. Coil of wire and GO PRO have been purchased.
3.07: 3D and 2D Drawings
Project VOLT
2012
16 cm
16 cm
Coils of
Wire
Magnets
Batteries
Arduino with
temp,
pressure,
humidity,
acceleration
sensors
Canon
Camera
GO PRO
Arduino
with
Current
Sensor
16 cm
Heater
System
Project VOLT
2012
Batteries
Arduino with temp,
pressure, humidity,
acceleration sensors
Coils of
Wire
GO
PRO
Magnets
Canon
Camera
16
cm
Heater
system
16 cm
Arduino with
current/ voltage
sensors
Project VOLT
2012
3.08: Flow Diagram
4.0: Management
Each team member will have about two jobs. For each position there is a lead with a backup. With the
limited amount of time we have left until launch, we will try to finish multiple tests in the next two
weeks. Our programming will be done very shortly, and wind experiments can begin. Team meetings
have begun to occur about twice a week. Each team member will be working on their lead position
vigorously. With the schedule made, Project VOLT will be tested and ready for launch on December 1st.
Project VOLT
2012
Name:
Position:
Andrew Trujillo
Researcher/ Solderer
Starteya Pais
Lead Researcher/ Secretary
Joao Mansur
Lead Solderer/ Coordinator
Thomas Jefferies
Team Leader/ Programmer
Colin Harkins
Lead Secretary/ Structural Design
Dustin Fishelman
Lead Budget Manager/ Structural Design
Anthony Anglin
Lead Coordinator/ Budget Manager
Dylan Cooper
Lead Programmer
Schedule:
October 28th – Testing Day + Team meeting
November 4th – Finalize programming + Team meeting
November 7th – Team meeting
November 13th – In-Class demo
November 14th – Team meeting
November 16th – Design Document Rev C
November 18th – Team meeting
November 25th – Finalize satellite and prep for launch
November 27th – LRR Slides Due (7:00 am)
November 28th – FINAL Team meeting
November 30th – Final Weigh-in
December 1st – Launch day
December 8th – ITLL Design Expo + Design Document Rev D Due + Extra Credit Video
December 11th – Final Presentations and Reports
Project VOLT
5.0:Budget
2012
Project VOLT
2012
6.0: Test Plan
To test the integrity of the satellite, we will have a variety of different simulations and tests under
different conditions. These include drop tests, cooler tests, whip tests, imaging tests, mission simulation
tests, experimental system tests, and tests looking at the effectiveness of different fin types and sizes.
6.01: Drop Test
A prototype version of the structure of our BalloonSat will be constructed with the same
dimensions and weight. This prototype will include the insulation and to simulate mass will include rocks
that are taped into place (to prevent damage because of the rocks moving around). These rocks will need
to weigh a total of approximately 980 grams to properly simulate the mass of the components that will be
housed inside the BalloonSat. Once this is completed a variety of different drop tests will be conducted
from different heights available to us. All heights should be in excess of 10m and with additional force
pushing the prototype toward the ground. This will simulate a worse case scenario landing. If the
BalloonSat structure survives this, we can be sure that it will survive the landing and the balloon pop on
launch day.
6.02: Cooler Test
With the same prototype as mentioned above a cooler test using dry ice will be conducted. During
this test the dry ice will bring the BalloonSat down to temperatures similar to those at the coldest point
during its fight. Inside the prototype there will be a single Arduino Uno with internal and external
temperature sensors wired up to it and the heater, constructed out of ceramic resistors and 3 9 volt
batteries. These will provide data on how close to flight temperatures we achieved with the dry ice, as
well as how well the insulation kept the temperature up in the BalloonSat. To succeed we need to keep the
internal temperature above -10 degrees Celsius.
6.03: Whip Test
To ensure the integrity of the flight string attachment point, we will need to conduct extensive
whip tests simulating the forces that will be experienced after balloon pop. These tests will need to be so
extensive because our entire experiment depends on this point. With a prototype box we will construct a
working mock up of the flight tube and the bearings that let it rotate independently of the BalloonSat.
Mass simulators will be put in place of all hardware. From this point we will connect the flight tube to a
section of string in the same manner that it will be connected on launch day. The BalloonSat will be
violently whipped around in an effort to simulate the extreme forces present when the balloon pops.
Whether or not the fight tube and the rest of the structure attaching the bearings hold up will tell us
whether or not we need to rethink the attachment points.
Project VOLT
2012
6.04: Imaging Tests
Imaging tests will be conducted inside of one of our prototype boxes. This will ensure the
placement and that the software that controls the Canon camera. In addition to this, the imaging test will
show us how long the batteries will last on both the Canon Camera and the GoPro.
6.05: Experimental Systems Test
The Experimental Systems test will be the test of the experimental structure. The flight tube will
be mounted on the bearings with the magnets attached to the flight string. The system of coils will be
constructed and there will be an Arduino located inside the BalloonSat prototype. The BalloonSat will be
spun around the flight tube and it will also be tested in a wind tunnel at different wind speeds. The current
and voltage produced by the generator will be written onto a 2GB SD card and stored. For the test in the
wind tunnel this data will correspond to different wind speeds. This test will ensure that all of our coding
for the experiment works properly and that the system actually functions to generate current. All of this
will be done in the wind tunnel with a variety of different fin types and sizes. The data received from this
test will tell us what type of fin to use during our flight
6.06: Mission Simulation Test
To simulate the entire mission we will have all of the components that will be present on launch
located inside the BalloonSat. This includes all cameras, the Arduinos, and the entire experimental
system. The system will be put in dry ice and the experimental system will be running (the flight string
will be spun so that current and voltage can be measured). This test will ensure that everything works
correctly while running at the same time.
7.0: Expected Results
We hope to recover data from our flight confirming our hypothesis that some systems of a
BalloonSat flight could be powered using the wind that will be present as the balloon ascends. We expect
that the amount of power generated will be greatest in the first part of the flight. It will increase to its
highest near the top of the troposphere, where average wind speeds are highest. From this point it will
start to go down because the air is much less dense in the high atmosphere. The lower density of the air
should make for less force spinning the balloon. This would mean that to apply this power toward the
entire flight, it would need to be stored throughout in some type of system.