RockSat-C 2011 CoDR CSU RocketSat-C Conceptual Design Review Colorado State University Isaiah Franka Jordan Rath Abby Wilbourn Mike Yeager 10/1/10 1

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Mission Overview There is no way to measure fluid volumes in microgravity without introducing acceleration. Current Techniques are not cost effective and extremely inefficient. Our goal is to design a payload capable of accurately measuring tank ullage in a microgravity environment for use in various spacecraft. We want to prove that interferometry is a viable option for fluid volume measurement and can be designed to withstand the extreme environmental conditions of launch 2

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Mission Overview: Theory and Concepts An optical mass gauging system equipped with a modified Michelson Interferometer was recently developed at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and has shown to be an option to measure liquid volumes with high precision using a small lightweight system. For the 2009/2010 RocketSat-C launch a team of CSU students developed a payload that measured tank ullage using a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer system. –The payload was not able to withstand the required environmental conditions and was unable to gather data during launch. 3

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Mission Overview: Mission Requirements Research and develop a reliable system for fluid volume measurement in a microgravity environment. Submit a operational payload to Wallops Flight Facility. Record ullage volume accurately (within 5%) Adhere to all requirements stated in the User Guide. Pass all pre-flight reviews and tests. 4 crestock.com

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Mission Overview: Concept of Operations Schematic of Optical Mass Gauging System 5

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Mission Overview: Expected Results 6 The gas cell is subjected to a pressure increase due to piston action which creates a phase shift in the light wave. This phase shift creates fringes when combined with the reference path beam which is then measured by the photodetector. These fringes can then be counted and used for calculation of the tank ullage.

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Design Overview: Functional Block Diagrams 7

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Design Overview: Payload Layout We will be using one plate in our design; all components will be mounted on top or bottom of single plate. We are still in the preliminary stages of design and have not yet decided on component placement. 8 classymommy.com

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Design Overview: RockSat-C 2011 User’s Guide Compliance 9 Based on the 2009/2010 CSU design we believe that we will be able to weigh in at or under half of the canister weight allotment of 20±0.2 lbs. Our payload will be designed to fill a half canister. Our payload will implement the standard 1.SYS.2 activation system. –RBF and G-switch setup

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Design Overview: Shared Can Logistics 10 We are sharing with Univ. of Minnesota (tentative) We plan to communicate via and periodic phone communication. We are still unsure of the structural interface we will use. We will not need any environmental ports. grandpmr.com

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Management 11 A schedule is currently being created and has not been finalized. Monetary budget has yet to be determined. Dr. Azer Yalin and Brian Lee

RockSat-C 2011 CoDR Our goal is to design a payload capable of accurately measuring tank ullage in a microgravity environment for use in various spacecraft. We are currently building a tabletop setup of our interferometer to test our concept. Once we have obtained accurate and repeatable ullage measurements we will move on to implementation into a physical payload. Conclusion 12