This is a short video summarizing what I did during the past semester.

Tuesday 4/20/21

On Tuesday this week, I worked a little bit on understanding the hardware and the purposes of the various computers in the monlab. I also moved the flight sim controls and set up the sim computer in the lab.

Thursday 4/22/21

On Thursday this week, I helped Will to re align the telescope with North. This mainly involved unscrewing a panel so that Will could crawl into the dome and crank the RA/Dec knobs as needed.

Week Summary

This week, I set up the flight sim in the monlab, and helped adjust the telescope. Next week, I will work a bit more with the sims.

Monday 4/12/21

On Monday this week, I had Will record me as I shot a segment of video for my capstone presentation. Afterwards, I helped him try to figure out why the telescope had been receiving random commands seemingly form a joystick.

Wednesday 4/14/21

On Wednesday this week, I first attempted to re-shoot my capstone video to update it, but had to abort due to heavy wind. Afterwards, I helped Will glue his telescope to the ground with silicone.

Week Summary

This week, I did a mix of capstone wrap-up work and telescope assistance. Next week, I will likely continue to work on capstone wrap-up mainly.

Monday 3/29/21

On Monday this week, I did a short flight to re-familiarize myself with the flight simulator controls. I couldn't help but notice that they were a little strange. I was figuring on reconfiguring once Alec came back.

Wednesday 3/31/21

on Wednesday this week, I mainly worked on two computers in the Monitoring Lab in order to test whether they were VR capable. Will downloaded and ran a benchmarking software on the first one, while Andy and I worked to try to get the other working. We just managed to get it to start up properly when it was time to leave.

Friday 4/2/21

On Friday this week, Will taught me a little about the software that makes the telescope function. I also spent some time learning about the Right Ascension/Declination sky coordinate system.

Week Summary

This week, I flew a little on the flight sim, worked to check which E-lab computers were VR capable, and learned a bit about how the telescope functioned. Since the weather forecast for this Friday isn't looking great for observing, I figured I would spend the weekend researching interesting stellar locations to observe when I next can.

Monday

On Monday this week, Will was having some difficulty with getting the remote power strip to work properly, so I tagged along to see if I could be any help. It seemed that the problem resolved itself without much input from me, though.

Wednesday

On Wednesday this week, I read up a little on other projects that are going on. I also checked out the driving simulator a small amount.

Week Summary

This week, I didn't do much of consequence again. I may start working on the flight simulator tutorials, since Alec is gone.

Monday 3/8/21

On Monday this week, Will and I worked to attempt to calibrate the telescope in between bursts of rain. We had minimal success, but Will said he would complete the calibration when he had the chance.

Wednesday 3/10/21

On Wednesday this week, I did some research on upcoming stellar phenomena that we could observe with the telescope. I didn't find any transient events of substantial interest.

Friday 3/12/21

On Friday this week, I tried to help Will fix the laser cutter so that Cade could use it. We were completely unsuccessful.

Week Summary

This week, I worked on small projects, and was largely unsuccessful in all of them. After spring break, I hope to find something I can put myself to work at.

Week Summary

This week, I was unable to complete any task within ISR due to Olin College of Engineering Candidates' week taking place. in addition, potential COVID exposure within the school canceled all classes on Friday. Next week, I am not sure what I will be doing, but I think that the telescope still needs some work to be fully functional.

Tuesday 2/22/21

On Tuesday this week, I worked on the AAVSO telescope, and also started working on some of the antennas behind the E-lab around the PPA array. The telescope had some trouble with its mounting, in that the telescope was flipped around from where it should be. When it was supposed to be pointing meridian, it was pointed instead directly into the ground. Will eventually decided that he would try to update the software running the telescope to see if he could solve the problem that way, and we moved on. The antenna mounted on the shed near the e-lab was malfunctioning, so we had to figure out what was wrong and correct it. We eventually figured out it was the coaxial adapter. I remedied this by helping to splice a new connector onto the cable.

Thursday 1/25/21

On Thursday this week, I continued to work on antennas. There was an antenna that Dr. Bill installed on the right uphill corner of the PPA array, and that antenna was working exceedingly well. However, it was too low to send and receive efficiently, and so Will, Andy, Dr. Bill, and I worked to raise the telescope about 10 feet from its previous position.We also added another wire in the cable to give closer access to the antenna itself.

Week Summary

This week, I worked to repair, troubleshoot, and rebuild the AAVSO telescope and 2 radio antennas. I worked to splice wires, connect antennas, and raise antennas. Next week, I will probably continue to work in this region, and will probably also start working on figuring out what to get for the ag drone.

Wednesday 2/17/21

On Wednesday this week, I learned some about power ratios, and what they mean for the efficiency of buildings. I also did a little work to try to find the instructions for the AAVSO telescope, which unfortunately got misplaced.

Friday 2/19/21

On Friday this week, I worked on a computer, along with Will. The main problem we worked to address was the function of the fans. Some wiring had clogged the fans at first, preventing the computer from working. Then, one of the main intake fans was running far harder than the other. Eventually, we managed to sort this problem out, but the computer as a whole is still far from functional.

Weekly Summary.

This week, I worked quite a bit to understand how the telescope will work once it is set up. In addition, I learned a bit about power ratios, and also worked to rewire a computer to be more functional. Next week, I would like to work more on the computer, in order to get it to a state of full function. I also would like to work on how to remotely operate the telescope.

Tuesday 2/9/21

On Tuesday this week, I worked with Will and Andy to assemble the newly arrived telescope from AAVSO. We pulled the sides from the box, and started working on opening the observatory dome itself.

Thursday 2/11/21

On Thursday this week, Will, Aaron, and I continued to work on assembling the AAVSO telescope. Most of the pieces had arrived by today, and so we started by opening up the observatory dome. We then removed and began to assemble the telescope and mount. By the end of class, we managed to assemble the mount and start putting the telescope and counterweight on that mount.

Weekly Summary

This week, I worked to assemble the telescope from AAVSO. By the end of the week, Will, Andy, Aaron, and I managed to open the dome and assemble the mount and counterweight assembly. I expect that we will be able to finish the entirety of the telescope by early next week, and have it observing by the end of next week. I believe that next week I will continue to work on the telescope in order to ensure it is sky-ready by the weekend.

Tuesday 1/19/21

Tuesday this week, I learned a bit about the eGauge and Skyspark systems.

Thursday 1/21/21

Thursday this week, I worked with Alec and Anuhea to measure and determine the efficiency of the PPA solar array. To do this, we first found the dimensions of one solar panel and the total number of solar panels in the array. We used this data to arrive at the area of the array. From there, we used data on the solar irradiation to estimate the power generable at full efficiency. From that value, we created a ratio of expected generation to actual generation to find the efficiency of the solar panels.

Week summary

This week, I learned about two more monitoring tools for the E-lab systems. I also began working on a project to determine and test the efficiency of the PPA solar array. I also helped Will brainstorm some ideas for the creation of his antenna concentrator. Next week, I want to continue work on the solar array project, and I would like to work on cleaning up the downstairs as well.

Tuesday 1/12

Today, I worked with Anuhea to complete the EMC challenges that were laid out for us. We managed to finish the challenges laid out for us and we then got a small preview of what we would do Thursday.

Thursday 1/14

Today, Anuhea and I again teamed up to work within Mango Automation. By using it, I learned a bit about what different power draws look like to a meter, and also a bit about MPPT for solar power systems.

Week Summary.

This week, I worked with Anuhea to understand telemetry. We used both the EMC server and Mango Automation to complete a set of challenges laid out for us.

Here is an interview with an overview of what I did over the first semester of ISR.

Monday 11.30.2020

On Monday this week, I returned the propellers after I finished testing them. I also started figuring out a way to design an EDF based on the motors that were available. Will said he had a motor design but had not printed it yet.

Wednesday 12.2.2020

On Wednesday this week, I started looking at ways to print out the EDF fan blade that I was going to have. I realized that I don't know what software to use to turn the 3d files into gcode that the printer can actually read. Beyond that, I started working on making my own EDF blade, but was not fully successful.

Friday 12.4.2020

On Friday this week, I finished the design of my own EDF blade. I also went onto Thingiverse and downloaded two different blade designs. I now simply need to find the application needed to turn the STL files I have into printable Gcode.

Week Summary

This week, I worked on designing a 3D printed EDF fan. I was able to figure out Fusion to the point of being able to design my own blades, but I do not yet have the capability to convert the 3D files that I have into printable code. That is what I intend to work on next week. Hopefully, this portion of the procedure will not be extraordinarily difficult. Over the weekend, I intend to take some measurements of the motor shaft adapter that I have, so that I know what to modify on my own EDF design.

Tuesday 11.24.2020

On Tuesday this week, I grabbed some motors from the downstairs area in order to test their power outputs. I then spent the rest of teh day searching with Will to find a suitable battery pack. Having found none, I took the motors home to test them.

Week recap

This week, I tested several motor and propeller combinations for thrust. The data are as follows.

1700KV motor with

-1180 blade: 1300g

1000KV motor with

-1045 prop: 800g

-1060x3 prop: 800g

My personal motor with

-1045 prop: 1100g

1060x3 prop: 1200g

This data will be used to help Will set up an EDF motor, which I hope to use on my own aircraft.

Tuesday 11.17.20

On Tuesday this week, I set up the 12V battery in the downstairs up to charge, in hopes of using it to power Leonce's foam cutter. I also set up a baking soda solution in order to neutralize any acid that may have leaked from the battery. I then continued to research powerplant solutions as the battery charged.

Friday 11.20.20

On Friday this week, I tested the voltage output of one of the large solar panels downstairs. I learned that it generates about 41 volts per panel. This is quite substantial, and may have a use for me later. I also helped Will to set up the laser cutter. I definitely intend to use the cutter in the future, so ensuring that it works was a very good thing.

Week summary

This week, I worked on the foam cutters some more, as well as the laser cutter. I charged up the battery and made sure no acid was leaking from it. I also tested the voltage that one of the medium-sized solar panels puts out. Third, I helped Will set up the laser cutter in the upstairs area. Next week, I intend to move my other wing sections into the E-lab, and I also intend to start designing a body for the wings I have.

Monday 11.9.2020

On Monday this week, I went over my drone survey with Dr. Bill and Anuhea. I showed them the survey video and we worked out a way to count the panels and solar thermal units on the houses. I also agreed to do some further surveys of other areas in the future.

Wednesday 11.11.2020

On Wednesday this week, I started testing Leonce's old hot-wire foam cutter. It did not work, likely because the battery was dead. I also helped Kyle set up and use the CNC machine.

Friday 11.13.2020

On Friday this week, I started doing research into the design and construction of a large survey aircraft. The main bulk of my research went into figuring out engines and power systems. I found a helpful description and conversion resource here: http://www.maclab.seas.ucla.edu/downloads/162D_Sizing_Introduction.pdf. Some of my research also went into keeping a low stall speed and generally good stall characteristics. I believe that a forward-swept wing would do what I need, and still be relatively easy to construct. I will continue doing research as I can.

Weekly summary 11.13.2020

This week, I worked on the drone aerial surveys, and also helped Kyle set up his CNC project. I also started researching ways to construct a large survey aircraft, with relatively easy construction. Next week, I intend to continue working out powerplants for this project, and also start working on getting the hot-wire foam cutters, both Leonce's and mine, functional. This will require a charged 12V battery for Leonce's cutter, and I believe there is a 48V power supply in the server room that will work to make my foam cutter functional.

This week, I started working on an old Variac, in the hopes of using it to power my hot-wire foam cutter. So far, it's not looking great. The Variac doesn't have any standard plugs, so wiring it is going to be very complicated at the least. I also agreed to help Anuhea with a project regarding renewable energy. Over the weekend, I am going to take my drone out over my neighborhood to take images of rooftops to determine solar and solar thermal penetration within the area.