Minutes of ERPS General Meeting #263
03 July 2003
The President called the meeting to order at 8:40 PM. Members present were
Kevin Bollinger, Sean Lynch, David Masten, Julie Porter, Dan Solvin, Adrian
Tymes, David Weinshenker and Chris Winter.
Reports and discussion on agenda items were as follows:
DOCUMENTATION
-------------
Chris Winter
Nothing to report
INFOTECH
--------
Sean Lynch
A switch with a malfunctioning power supply was replaced, restoring the
system to normal operation. Sean has the Wiki software partially installed.
LIAISONS
--------
Michael Wallis
Nothing to report
LOGISTICS
---------
Sean Lynch
Nothing to report
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
--------------
Michael Wallis
Nothing to report
TREASURER
---------
Rick Eversole
Nothing to report
CHIEF SCIENTIST
---------------
Kevin Bollinger
Kevin reported that he has started to design his Black Adder. This will be
an X-Prize class vehicle, though not a contender for the X-Prize. He is
also designing heat-sink engines for biprop tests (for which he needs to
find a place to machine some blocks of metal) and will be testing a new
commercial catalyst.
He showed the group two little bottles -- one containing a diesel-based
hypergol, the other a kerosene hypergol.
FLIGHT CONTROLS
---------------
Dave Masten
Thanks to Julie Porter, Dan has a working hard drive in his Macintosh.
Work on the interface board for Gizmocopter is still under way.
PROPELLANTS/SPARGER/FF
----------------------
Pierce Nichols
Since he could not make the meeting, Pierce reported the results of last
weekend's effort at the Ranch via e-mail. I reproduce his report here in
edited form:
--------
On Saturday, we cleaned out the propellant shed somewhat. We now have much
more room to work. We also discussed with Chuck several things that need to
be done to come into full fire code compliance for that building. First, we
need to finish clearing out the remaining junk in that building. Mostly,
it's heavy bits now, plus some remaining scrap. Included in this are two
large, empty N2 cylinders of indeterminate condition. Chuck is willing to
let us use them. They are doubtless long out of hydrotest, and need new
safety caps, but there is no good reason to think that they are
unserviceable. I would like someone to get a quote on a new hydro for them
so we can use them.
Sunday, we finally managed to actually sparge some peroxide. Dave W's
report is accurate as to the particulars of our success. Our density after
1 hour in the sparger was 1.250 @ 46 C, for a concentration around 72%.
After 2 hours, we reached about 81%, for a density of 1.322 @ 48 C. I think
the target density should be around 1.35 at or near sparge temperature.
--------
Dave W continues to assemble his Teacart FF apparatus.
Kevin has completed water tests of his sparger assembly. His next step is
to mount it on a trailer along with a 6 kW generator he acquired.
REGULATORY
AFFAIRS
-------
Dave Weinshenker
Nothing to report
SAFETY
------
Dave Masten
Safety is AOK.
TESTING
-------
Dave Masten
Dave M has the data acquisition software working. As noted before,
peroxide is the pacing item for testing.
**** PROJECTS
Composites
----------
Kevin Bollinger
Nothing to report
Gizmocopter
-----------
Dave Masten
See Flight Controls, above.
KISS
----
Dan Solvin
Nothing to report
POGO
----
Dave Masten
POGO meetings have been held at CDI for the past several Tuesday nights.
The new engines have been examined, and some work on vehicle structure
design has been accomplished. Work parties were scheduled during the
holiday weekend.
SMARTFLIGHT
-----------
Dave Weinshenker
There are launches at Petaluma this weekend. Dave W will participate if
possible.
Spike
-----
Sean Lynch
Nothing to report
NEW BUSINESS
------------
The group was polled about the quality of this newest venue. All
pronounced it satisfactory with respect to food, drink, service, prices and
decibel level. Discussion of where to hold our next meeting took place. On
a voice vote, Austin's won by acclamation.
Meeting #263 adjourned at 9:13 PM. The next meeting will take place 17 July
2003 at Austin's, 1616 West El Camino Real, Mountain View. To reach it
(barring a repeat of the water main break), take 101 to Shoreline Blvd.
Follow Shoreline west to El Camino Real. Turn right and go past four
streets. Mariposa is the fourth; Austin's is right on the corner.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Winter
Secretary, ERPS
+++ PLEASE ADVISE THE SECRETARY OF ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THESE
MINUTES +++
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