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UPR-R(river) P(rock) X

Progress ReportApril 28, 2011

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Team Members

Angelica Betancourt Joseph Casillas Luis Maldonado Pedro Melendez Marisara Morales Joshua Nieves Oscar A. Resto Omar Rocafort Carlos Rodriguez Esteban Romero Samalis Santini Marimer Soto Yashira Torres

Students:

Vladimir Makarov Gerardo Morell Ricardo Morales Gladys Muñoz Guillermo Nery Oscar Resto

Faculty Support:

In representation of the University of Puerto Rico, as a team we intend to get involved in the pilot project RockSat X 2011 to expand our knowledge and that of others in aerospace related areas. Carefully selected, the experiment that will be carried out includes mass spectroscopy to analyze molecular species and their respective partial pressures in near space. In this way we will contribute with valuable information for interstellar travel and advances benefiting the space bound crew to collect and replenish essential resources such as water and fuel.

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Mission Overview

Functional Block Diagram

Mass Spectrometer to plate Interface

Payload Plate

Plate/MS Assembly

Mass Spectrometer Inspection

Mass Spectrometer Integration

Medium Power Speakers just 500kW20 to 20k Hz

Real Test Up to 150 G’s, op’s…

Environmental Video

What we found at the end of the Day

- What went wrong?- The ceramics in our Mass Spectrometer did not

survive the vibrations of the environmental test.

- What went right?- The filament of the RGA survived the environmental

test. - Mass spectrometer tests with some compounds.- RockSat-X Plate fits well with the base and the

mass spectrometer.

Results of Environmental test

Our main concern will be to make the deadline of May 16, because we are still waiting for some of the materials that are crucial for the test. First, the ceramics that will be used to fix the RGA that was destroyed in the environmental test.

We are also waiting for different parts to arrive. The ones that we will be using to construct the boom arms.

Issues and Concerns