Minutes of ERPS General Meeting #269
02 October 2003
The President called the meeting to order at 8:35 PM. Members present were
Rick Eversole, Sean Lynch, Dave Masten, Pierce Nichols, Gerald Nordley, Dan
Solvin, Adrian Tymes, Michael Wallis, Dave Weinshenker, and Chris Winter.
Reports and discussion on agenda items were as follows:
DOCUMENTATION
-------------
Chris Winter
Nothing to report
INFOTECH
--------
Sean Lynch
Sean has an LDAP server working on Cube, with the contents of the Contacts
list. Plans for installing POP and IMAP servers on Cube are under way.
LIAISONS
--------
Michael Wallis
Nothing to report
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
--------------
Michael Wallis
Adrian elaborated on the report he gave last meeting about the Mars
Society: Yes, they are interested in our F.A.S.T. proposal -- but they want
to express this interest AFTER getting to Mars.
Michael reminded us of the Space Frontier Conference, 10-12 October in Los
Angeles. He also reported on a Labview seminar, provided by National
Instruments, and announced that those participating in the [EMAIL PROTECTED]
project continue to rack up respectable contributions of processing time.
Dave M is all set to attend the COMSTAC meeting -- or will be once he gets
a new suit & tie.
TREASURER
---------
Rick Eversole
Rick reported that we spent a substantial sum (a buncha bucks, a mint of
money, a deluge of ducats) on plumbing installed at the Rocket Ranch. Our
standing is much improved as a result of these safety infrastructure
upgrades.
Despite these outlays, we still have money.
CHIEF SCIENTIST
---------------
Kevin Bollinger
Nothing to report
FLIGHT CONTROLS
---------------
Dave Masten
Pierce, using Matlab 6.5, is developing simulations of the flight
performance of POGO and Gizmocopter.
PROPELLANTS/SPARGER/FF
----------------------
Pierce Nichols
Dave M and Pierce reported on the upgrade work performed at the Ranch:
Installing a second eyewash unit, putting a new hydrant in the propellant
building (a thoroughly difficult and unpleasant job), laying some new PVC
pipe, and general cleanup. Dave M is also beginning the preparation for
completing the blockhouse walls.
We still have to acquire and install a fire hose & box, finish up the
second eyewash station, and put a chain on the handle of the propellant
building's shower.
Dave W bought a transmission oil cooler for $30. This will be used to
condense vapor in the sparger column.
Dave W has the refrigeration loop working nicely on his Teacart FF
apparatus. The fluorocarbon loop was charged, and a 3% solution of peroxide
was successfully frozen as a test case. The next task is to characterize
the mechanical behavior of HTP. He may also decide to rework the
circulating-fluid plumbing to get more consistent results.
There will be no propellant work at the Ranch this weekend.
REGULATORY
AFFAIRS
-------
Dave Weinshenker
Nothing to report
SAFETY
------
Dave Masten
Safety is AOK.
TESTING
-------
Dave Masten
Nothing to report
**** PROJECTS
Composites
----------
Kevin Bollinger
Nothing to report
Gizmocopter
-----------
Dave Masten
Dan reported that, after giving up on delivery of the part he wanted for
his interface board, is awaiting the arrival of a substitute. Once he has
this (or these), he will be able to complete and deliver the board within
two weeks.
Gizmocopter's NiCad batteries are shot. However, once the other
impediments are overcome, work can proceed with it running on ground power.
This will most likely take the form of a car battery tied to Gizmo by a
long cable.
KISS
----
Dan Solvin
Nothing to report
POGO
----
Dave Masten
POGO is coming along fast. Parts for mounting the tanks are being cut, and
drawings are being done to support the work Hipp Welding will do for us.
SMARTFLIGHT
-----------
Dave Weinshenker
Nothing to report
Spike
-----
Sean Lynch
Nothing to report
New Business
------------
Denny's looks OK as a meeting place.
Gerry Nordley inquired whether ERPS would be interested in sharing a party
suite at Baycon, Memorial Day weekend 2004. The answer was "Yes". The way
this would work is for different groups to use the one suite of rooms at
different times, with each handling their own setup and cleanup.
Meeting #269 adjourned at 9:35 PM. The next meeting will take place on 16
October 2003 at the Denny's on Bowers Avenue in Santa Clara. Watch the list
for full driving directions.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Winter
Secretary, ERPS
+++ PLEASE ADVISE THE SECRETARY OF ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THESE
MINUTES +++
_______________________________________________
ERPS-list mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list
