EXPLORE Test Weekend VII (20.-21.11.2010)
- Thorben and Andreas discuss the experiment sequence ...
- ... and the configuration in detail.
- Flight hardware of the electronics boards
- Daniel inspects the electronics boards
- Connecting the hardware to the electronics, support by Michael
- Thorben and Andreas work on the EXPLORE software
- Daniel and Robert discuss the mass flow settings
- Emil preparing the experiments
- Robert building the interior of the EXPLORE transport box
- Daniel, Emil and Christine during final test preparations
- Daniel, Thorben and Juergen testing the second fluid line
- Daniel switching the electronic signals for the filling
EXPLORE in the Box ;) (Nov. 2010)
- F.l.t.r: Juergen, Christine, Johannes, Daniel, Robert, Emil, Andreas
- F.l.t.r: Juergen, Johannes, Christine, Robert, Daniel, Emil, Andreas
- Back row: Juergen, Robert, Thorben, Johannes; front row: Christine, Emil, Daniel, Andreas
EXPLORE Test Weekend VI (13.-14.11.2010)
- Christine testing some valves
- Emil seems confused?
- New member Thorben immersed in software
- Robert testing new balloons (a little bit long?!)
- Christine dismounts EXPLORE from the module
- The gas pressure part is mounted to the module
- Possible lighting configuration
- Tranport box provides enought room for our team manager
- Thorben and Daniel have new support from Atmel
- Christine with electronics
- Atmel-powered test elektronics
- Robert depressurizing the system
- Daniel and Thorben during software discussions
- Emil and Christine integrate EXPLORE in the module
- Teamwork for final integration
- Marcel and Serina from REMOS are also working for REXUS
- EXPLORE during tests with the overall setup
- Johannes, Emil and Christine measuring the flow rates ...
- ... in a test series with the full setup
- Emil gives pressure ;)
EXPLORE Test Weekend V and IPR (9.-12.10.2010)
- Daniel and Juergen test the camera control
- EXPLORE components for the assembly
- Daniel and Robert discuss electronics
- Christine cleans all parts for the vacuum test
- Christine and Robert during assembly
- Christine and Robert during assembly
- Semi-integrated EXPLORE setup after the first day
- Juergen and Emil with the assembly
- Fully integrated setup
- Many fluid lines and cables in the complex setup
- First filling with the pink Glysantin
- Very well visible in the tank fluid line
- Christine and Johannes during the filling
- Christine mixing a Glysantin cocktail
- Final soldering
- Christine and Juergen connecting the electronics
- Successful first test chamber filling in the full setup
- Christine and Emil prepare the setup for the next day
- Second successful filling ...
- ... behind cable chaos
- IPR: EXPLORE presents the setup and electronics
- IPR: Daniel discusses electronics with Patrick and Andreas (DLR)
- Service simulator test not fully complete ...
- ... but test chamber filling still successful
- Christine and Johannes clear the fluid lines after testing
EXPLORE Test Weekend IV (17.-19.9.2010)
- Emil loads the complex CAD model of EXPLORE ...
- ... and integrates the bulkhead accordingly.
- Bulkhead structure and electronic parts list
- Emil with the test setup and the dummy electronics box
- The setup in the REXUS module
- Emil and Christine happy about the fitting parts
- Dismounting of the structure from the module works ...
- ... with a light twist of the bulkhead
- Emil, Johannes and Christine with REXUS module and test structure
- HD Hero cameras from GoPro-Shop in Stuttgart
- Fully integrated test setup
- Christine inserts the camera into the module
- Robert works on the membranes for the fluid system
- Johannes checks the fill status and pressure
- Christine and Johannes prepare the functional tests
- Emil and Johannes discuss smaller issues with the setup
- Jürgen, Christine and Johannes connect the test electronics
- Emil presents the setup in the test structure
- Emil, Johannes and Christine awaiting the functional test
- Johannes and Christine monitor the test process
- Emil and Johannes deplete the chamber for the next test
- Emil "checks" the simplified setup ;)
- Christine, Andreas and Johannes filling the tanks
- Johannes and Christine fill the water tanks
- Test electronics from EXPLORE
EXPLORE Test Weekend III (23./24.7.2010)
- Emil welds the test board for the temperature sensors
- The test setup includes different wiring options
- The pressure test setup is modified ...
- ... with the new pressure sensor from Esska.
- Pressure test setup for sensor verification
- Johannes conducting the tests
- Daniel and Emil use the microcontroller board ...
- ... to control EXPLORE components.
- The mass flow sensor is verified in test
- Mass flow sensor from B.I.O.Tech
- Robert shows the pulse modulated signal at the oscilloscope
- He's dead, Jim. :)
- The team discusses the sensor test
- Cleaning up at the end of the day ...
- ... and a short feedback within the group.
- Rollout of the EXPLORE structural model
- EXPLORE structure model with tanks and test chamber
- Start of the long duration compatibility test with Glysantin
EXPLORE Test Weekend II (21.5.2010)
- A clear PET bottle simplifies tests of the inner membranes
- Anti-freeze Glysantin G30 ensures liquid fluid even at -30°C
- The compatibility with polymer materials needs to be shown
- Tests with membranes (condoms, balloons), plexiglas and fittings in 100% ...
- ... and in 50% solution with water.
- The test setup of the fueling system is optimized
- A different shaker test: Andreas tests the resistance of the membrane to loads.
- No leakage at the membrane inside the tank!
- The polymer parts from the anti-freeze ...
- ... show no negative effects after the test.
EXPLORE Test Weekend I, Day 2 (24.4.2010)
- The initial test setup from day 1
- Robert and Johannes start preparations for day 2
- Robert, Johannes, Daniel and Andi discuss the process ...
- ... and start the first test run with Emil
- Emil checks on the Staiger valve
- The extended test setup with ball valve
- Group picture: EXPLORE Team and the test setup
- Emil, Johannes, Daniel and Christine further extend the setup ...
- ... and launch the next rest run.
- Johannes inspects the extended test setup
- Emil and Johannes discuss the water tank connection
- Johannes, Christine, Emil and Daniel fix the tubing
- The extended test setup with all components:
- Gas tank, pressure regulator, pressure sensor, ball valve, water tank, Staiger valve
- Tests are done upside down to relieve the membrane
EXPLORE Test Weekend I, Day 1 (23.4.2010)
- Emil and Daniel discuss at the computer ...
- ... while Johannes starts the preparation.
- First pressurization of the Primus fuel bottle
- Johannes and Christine test the volume of the membrane (condom)
- (Condom-)membrane for EXPLORE
- First integration into Primus bottle
- Christine fills with fluid
- Johannes prepares the equipment
- The (condom-)membrane in the bottle
- Pressurization at the sink
- Pressure tightness test with the Primus fuel bottle and Schwalbe valve
- Christine and Robert pressurize the tank
- Robert inspects the pressure and checks for leaks
- Johannes at the second pressurization
- Integration of the membrane in the Primus bottle
- The test chamber fully filled ...
- ... and as a sprinkler device
- Robert and Johannes verify the test chamber
- Robert and Johannes verify the test chamber
- Pizza dinner in the laboratory
- Johannes, Robert and Christine compile the next setup
- Johannes, Robert and Christine integrating
- Juergen and Robert discuss the tank connector and membrane
- Leak test of the gas tank at 8 bar in the water bath
- Leak test of the gas tank at 8 bar in the water bath
- Christine and Robert screw-connecting the tubing
- Christine preparing the "water games"
- First membrane filling at the sink
- Preparation of the flow test with Staiger valve
- First testing the principle mass flow
- Emil and Daniel discuss the electronics setup
- First simplified test setup for the EXPLORE fluid system
- The pressure is rising soon
- Robert, Johannes and Christine fill the water tank ...
- ... and pressurize the gas tank afterwards.
- The team starts the first dry run
- Robert, Johannes and Daniel discuss the findings from the fluid testing
- Next pressurization of the test setup
- Late at night we test the LED lighting modules ...
- ... and light the test chamber.
EXPLORE and REMOS present at the University of Stuttgart!
- EXPLORE hardware at the presentation
- Christian, Christine and Andreas prepare their presentations
- REXUS posters fill the room
- Andreas, Christine and Christian during dry-run of the presentations
- The students discuss the slides
- Andreas presents the German-Swedish program
- REMOS poster
- EXPLORE poster
- Christine presents the EXPLORE experiment ...
- ... and explains the functioning principle.
- Christian explains REMOS ...
- ... and the measurements during reentry.
- The interested audience of professors and researchers
EXPLORE presents in the Aerospace Lab in Herrenberg!
- Mr. Voggenreiter introduces the Aerospace Lab
- Juergen presents REXUS and EXPLORE
- Many students, teachers and industry representatives in the Aerospace Lab
- Juergen, Christine and Andreas in Herrenberg
Swagelok visits EXPLORE in Stuttgart
- Mr. Messmer from Swagelok/BEST Fluidsystems visits EXPLORE
- Mr. Messmer explains Swagelok fittings
- EXPLORE and Mr. Messmer analyse the test setup
- Mr. Messmer and the EXPLORE team
Team Meetings (February/March 10)
- Working meeting at IRS
- Working meeting at IRS
- Working meeting at IRS
- Working meeting at IRS
- Working meeting at IRS
- Juerrgen with the ASCO valve
- Robert inspects the valve
- Emil working on his laptop
- Design sketches on the whiteboard
- Design sketches on the whiteboard
- Robert at the meeting
- Johannes at the meeting
- Emil and Daniel discussing
- Juergen
EXPLORE visits Primus in Stockholm
- Urban Kihlstrom shows EXPLORE around the Primus facilities
- Andreas inspects some components in detail
- Urban Kihlstrom presents first fuel bottles for tests to EXPLORE Manager Christine
- Andreas in front of the Primus demo-wall
- EXPLORE loves their new components
Team Meetings (December 09/January 10)
- Meeting in Juergen's office
- Tine planning the project
- Emil's tablet PC as a true "notebook"
- Tine and her laptop
- Tine with the REXUS/BEXUS logo
- Discussions in the IRS meeting room
- Team meeting at IRS
- PDR-SED working meeting
- SED review with the projector
- Emil working
- The team preparing the PDR
- Robert and Johannes discussing the design
- Integration of the PDR presentation slides
Team Pictures
- The EXPLORE team with their logo
- The EXPLORE team at IRS in Stuttgart
- EXPLORE with the TEXUS rocket, REXUS' "big sister"
- The EXPLORE team under the International Space Station ISS
- The complete EXPLORE team at CDR
- The EXPLORE team in the GSOC hall
- The EXPLORE team presents their bulkhead
