Monthly Archives: October 2008
Satellite Tool Kit
Satellite Tool Kit
Astrobotic is broadly applying Satellite Tool Kit as gold-standard software for design and optimization of our Tranquility Trek. The generosity of AGI’s STK gift is only exceeded by their hospitality at last week’s user conference. Thank you, AGI. Pictured left to right
are: Paul Graziani (President and CEO, AGI), Alastair Firth (CMU BS ECE ’10), Jonathan Bidwell (CMU MS HCI), Dan Kane (former VP, AGI)
 |
| From AstroboticBlogPhotos |
Field experiment
Field experiment
Field experiments are the Astrobotic way. Experiments exhibit system performance beyond the sum of component performances. Good experiments synergize hardware, software and operations with disciplined testing and measured results.
Good experiments ground a team in reality. At some point the lander departure, 500-meter trek, remote operations and data transmission become routine, space-relevant and rock-solid. Routine, space-relevant and rock-solid are still a long way off.
Threaded inserts
Threaded inserts
A composite honeycomb layup cannot be threaded. However, it is necessary to thread screws into composites, so threaded inserts are glued into oversize holes that are drilled through the composite. An insert’s threads are strong, so an insert can receive forces from a screw.
The insert distributes the forces from a screw, through the insert, through an epoxy glue, and into the composite. The installation procedure must preclude air bubbles from the epoxy glue. These test samples are sectioned to check for embedded bubbles.
 |
 |
| From AstroboticBlogPhotos |
Cold Plate
Mast mockup for wire routing experiment
The cold plate completes Astrobotic’s thermal-vac facility. Prior posts have highlighted the chamber, pumps, heating lamps and temperature sensing, but space and lunar conditions cannot be simulated without a means to cool. The cold plate resides in the bottom interior of the
chamber. It sinks the heat that emanates from the lamps. Any powered
test device like a comjputer or motor generates some waste heat that can be tested by sinking that power into the cold plate.
 |
 |
| From AstroboticBlogPhotos |
