14 Jun Alex Birck, LASP, Week 2

Camera/UV system with mounting plate.

Hi everyone. For Week 2 at LASP, both Isaias and I continued working on our Camera/UV system, specifically focusing on the positioning stage. This stage is what holds our samples and lets us make tiny, precise movements. Since the equipment that we had didn’t have the right positioning and size to screw into the table, to keep it from sliding around, I designed and 3D-printed a small white adapter plate to secure the stage tightly to the table. Once it was locked down, we were finally able to use the camera to look closely at phone pixels and position everything exactly where it needed to be.

Phone Pixles from Camera

Aside from working on the positioning stage, we also started designing some metal connector plates. LASP printed out a large, 100% scale model of a satellite’s components that need to be wired together. By carefully looking at the system schematics, we are figuring out how to accurately place all the round and square holes on the plates. Once the designs are finished, we will send them out to be metal-machined. When we get the parts back, our next job will be to manually tap all the tiny holes ourselves. These plates will hold the wires and pins securely in place on the 3D-printed model, so the team can get the wire lengths perfect before installing them in the real spacecraft.

Outside of our design work, the other summer interns, Isaias, and I teamed up to assemble a specialized transfer table. This mobile cart is designed to safely move delicate satellite components and the spacecraft itself between different campus buildings and cleanrooms. Because the hardware we are handling is so sensitive to dust, debris, and vibrations, the table has to be incredibly stable and clean.

Crepe Night!

To wrap up the week, we headed over to the CU Rec Center to get some exercise. It was a great way to unwind, and we actually plan on going every day for the rest of the summer to stay in shape. During one of our dinners this week, we made crepes with Nutella, bananas, and homemade cinnamon sugar, along with a couple of other toppings.

That will be all for LASP Week 2.