Laurier Space Program

Now that we’ve given the Ratatoskr Sensor Module to the Engineering Department to test (an no doubt break) the Science Department is busy testing the connections and operating software for Lightning’s telemetry module, called Sleipnir.

Sleipnir will collect data about atmospheric pressure, magnetic field strength and direction, acceleration, position and altitude of the Lightning Probe. Sleipnir will also include a backup temperature sensor that we will use to calibrate the sensors on Ratatoskr as well as providing temperature data in the event that the Ratatoskr sensor board fails.

We are trying to store data from Sleipnir on Ratatoskr in order to reduce the number of memory cards needed as well as reducing power consumption on Lightning. The risk of this is that if Ratatoskr fails, all our sensor data will be lost. The SD Card on the Heimdallr board could be used as a backup but this will reduce the number of photographs we can capture as Lightning ascends and descends.

After a lot of testing of different materials, the engineers have settled on 5mm thick acrylic as the material to be used to make Lightning. We have sent the engineering plans to Westgate School in the UK where they will use their laser cutter to very accurately slice acrylic sheets into the parts that will be used to build Lightning.

Once the sheets are cut, they will be shipped to Sir Wilfrid Laurier where the individual panels will be laid out according to the plan needed to build the probe and then welded together with a special solvent to create a strong, waterproof join. The exterior of the probe will then be painted and sensitive areas covered with Mylar to protect components and sensors from the sun’s radiation.

Had a interview with a reporter from Red-Fm, it was a great experience for the entire team!