Design Challenge

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Design Challenge

• Is there life on Mars?

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Mission Objectives

1. Acquire soil sample from hard ground.
2. Introduce soil into test environment.
3. Analyze soil for signs of life.
4. Record transmittable data.

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Mission Objective 1Acquire Soil Sample from
Hard Ground

1. Hollow spikes at the base of the module.
2. Graters built into module walls.
3. Using the landing impact to loosen ground.

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Mission Objective 1Acquire Soil Sample from
Hard Ground
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Mission Objective 2Introduce Soil Into Test
Environment

• Introduce soil into test environment.
• Vacuum debris from tubes or grates.
• Flexible auger spring draws debris in.

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Mission Objective 2Introduce Soil Into Test
Environment
Auger
Vacuum
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Mission Objective 3Analyze Soil for Signs of
Life

1. Using indicator chemicals.
2. Using electronic sensors.
3. To detect gases, color changes, or pH differences.

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Mission Objective 3Analyze Soil for Signs of
Life
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Mission Objective 4Record Transmittable Data

1. Store readings digitally.
2. Use a Lego rcx controller as a data logger
3. Use a digital camera.

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Mission Objective 4Record Transmittable Data

• DCP LEGO sensor adapter allows standard sensors
  to be used with LEGO RCX.
• Advantage if already using RCX a controller,
  avoid added weight and complexity of separate
  data logger.

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Design Objectives

1. Weighs under (lt 2 kg).
2. Maintain temperature.
3. Protect components from condensation.
4. Survive impact.
5. Work without human intervention.
6. Testing prior to launch.

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Design Objective 1Not Too Heavy (lt 2 kg)

1. Use extruded polystyrene.
2. Incorporate items that supplement each other.
3. Use only enough lithium batteries as needed.

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Design Objective 2Maintain Temperature

1. Use spray foam insulation.
2. Use sodium acetate heat pack.
3. Paint black.

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Design Objective 2Maintain Temperature
Typical sodium acetate pack
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Design Objective 3Protect from Condensation

1. Apply an epoxy coating.
2. Spray foam insulation.
3. Keep warm enough to prevent condensation.

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Design Objective 4Survive Impact

1. Use mastic foil tape.
2. Use separate compartments for snug fit.
3. Make mold for circuitry from spray foam
   insulation.
4. Shock mount heavy components.
5. Use non-volatile memory.

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Design Objective 5No Human Intervention

1. Use Lego rcx controller.
2. Use non-volatile memory.
3. Power management programming.
4. Use a Palm Pilot to transmit data.

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Design Objective 6Test Prior to Launch

• Toss from a 2 3 story building.
• Dry run of mechanism that gets the soil.
• Dry run of experiments that test for life using
  local soil.
• Test for tolerance to cold and condensation.

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Design Objective 6Test Prior to Launch

1. Test how long warmers stay warm.
2. Test components in a vacuum chamber.
3. Test, then flip over and test again.

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The End