Icing

[Raymond Pier]

Kudos on the early testing. I was thinking of the optical problems
that may occur, along with the need to maintain battery temperature to
supply power. For you younger generations, recall the problems
"Ironman" had during ascent. We elders may recall John Glenn in
Friendship 7 reporting being followed by thousands of 'fireflies'
which turned out to be bits of frozen condensation separating from the
vehicle. Perhaps some of those dessicant packets could be placed in
the payload to alleviate interior icing. Don't know how to prevent
exterior buildup...

[Brian Davis]

This thought dawned on me this morning as well... two panes of
glass (one on the inside and one on the outside) sealed really well
with a good air gap between them might help...it could keep the window
temps disparate for as long as possible. The idea of dessicants on
the inside also might help....

As to the outer lens - starting with it being SUPER clean is probably
the best bet... if my memory serves, ice forms only on the defects
(and dirt) of the glass first.... might be worth a few "dry runs" in
your freezer.... Or - you could try a substance like cat crap (the
product, not the, well, crap) which provides a moisture reducing
coating.

[Danny Pier]

Good stuff to know. Dessicating packets are definitely gonna be
involved in the payload.

I feel like the acrylic "windows" will have a harder time icing than
glass counterparts... but I have no basis for that, just a feeling...
maybe because they feel warmer, which in turn would mean they're less
conductive?

Any recommendations on a sealant for the windows? We need to
definitely maintain that layer of air in between if possible.

-dp

> > exterior buildup...- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -