Summary of latest activities (as of 27th April 2017)

[Tony & Katya Fawl]

We are all a bit busy at the moment with various MSP activities, I thought it would be a good idea to summarise these:

Mark:  Rocketry Launch Pad and Control Module

Currently completing the launch Pad for Model Rockets (including the Magnatron Module which will house the LED Launch Pad Lighting

Has ordered parts for the Launch control unit for solid fuel Model Rockets.  He will build the Launch Control Unit as time allows (work pressures)

Mark, who is the Treasurer for the Programme, also released funds to Tony for provision of materials etc, for Pico and Rockets.

 

Alan B:   Piconaut Solar Panels

Currently putting the finishing touches to the Solar Power panels for the Pico Project

He will be attending next week to hopefully demonstrate the panels with Harvi's / Giambattista's (Gb's) Pico Module assembly that they are working on

 

Harvinder and Giambattista (Gb):  Piconaut Assembly fabrication and Software

Harvi has ordered the parts required to build two development Pico payload assemblies. 

He has also begun soldering the parts together and the next dev board is being completed with Gb.

Programming the Pico Arduino board has started and this is expected to complete soon after the Pico assembly.

 

Damian: Schools Liaison, Large Rockets

Damian has made contact with a colleague who has experience of large Rocket launches and the hope is that he will be able to advise on the fabrication necessary for the large Red Streak rocket that MSP holds.  Damian is also looking after the MSP legacy equipment and HAB modules.  Damian has asked about the Pico antenna work – not sure if he is taking this forward.

 

Simon: Electronics Engineering:

Advises as and when he is available.

 

Katya: Software, Mission Control Website

The Mission Control Website has been developed based on the WordPress module.  User management has been completed along with the database application to manage user missions.  The next phase is to mesh the site with HabHub and Google so that user missions can be tracked using Google Earth and the HabHub tracker websites.

 

Tony: Administration and Promotion

UK Space Conference will be held 29^th May to 2^nd June.  Tony has applied for an MSP stand to be made available.  He also requested a concessionary rate (£200) for MSP members since we are a not for profit.  This was refused as we are not a registered charity (they still want us to man a stand outside the conference in the hall).

Bolton Astronomical Society have asked that we undertake a presentation on 16^th May.  Tony and Harvi will attend and Mark and Harvi if they get chance.  Tony will reply with acceptance.

[Tony & Katya Fawl]

Update re: UK Space Conference  May 30th to 1st June:

The organisers have just come back to me and confirmed that they would like us to have a stand.  This is part of the General Public access part of the conference and would not be part of the actual conference hall.  I asked for three tables, 3x4meters space and a backing wall so that we could either project onto it or hang a TV (that they would provide). I'm not sure how many people will attend and I'm not sure yet how many days we would be required for - possibly just a day (Wednesday).

They will be sending out a pack of details next week (and confirmations of facilities etc.)

Any help with manning the stand would be much appreciated.

[Tony & Katya Fawl]

And - Update to the Astronomical Society chat on 16th May.

Carl from Bolton Astronomical Society, has confirmed that we are speaking at the event which starts at 7pm on 16th at:

Ladybridge Community Centre,

Beaumont Drive,

Bolton

BL3 4RZ

They will provide a projector and stand etc. I guess we would provide everything else.

[Pete Blacker]

Hi Everyone,

That's great news, Surrey Space centre will also have a stand. I think we're focusing our space debris removal mission. I was going to be on the stand myself, but I'll be flying back into the country on the first day of the conference. I will be in Manchester for the rest of the time though, so I'll head over and introduce you all. My friend Chris Bridges will be in charge of our stand, I'll tell him to head over and have a chat, he's really into avionics and ground stations, a good overlap. He also put the worlds first phone satellite in space!

Look forward to seeing you at the G-Mex [sic].

Pete