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Michael tries out the improved vortex. |
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2/26/00: We discovered that it was hard to align the funnels with the
knobs on the front of the sattelite when we couldn't see them. After
a few docking misses, it was time to change the wooden funnel support and
make a new plastic one that we could see through. |
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Michael and Alex "match drill" the new holes. We clamped the
old piece on the top, the new piece on the bottom, and drilled new holes
exactly where the old ones were. |
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Kenneth drills the two big funnel holes by hand to be sure they are
in exactly the right place (the ones in our wood support weren't quite
right) |
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Peeling the paper from the plastic seems like the most fun of all! |
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Rigel next to the new clear funnel support. Rigel noticed
that the battery was slipping out of the box while the Vortex
was
being operated, and almost fell to the floor several times. Rigel
found that putting a bunch or rubber bands inside the box kept the battery
from sliding out. |
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3/11/00: Greg demonstrates his idea for a control/operator handle with
help from Ken and Michael |
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Before covering the Vortex
with reflective foil, everyone tightens loose nuts to be sure nothing falls
off.... |
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...Rigel mistakes Ken for a loose nut |
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3/11/00: Greg, Rigel, Michael, and Ken try to move the Vortex,
and discover that it likes to open to its full length during
transport! Another problem to figure out...
Next stop: Tech Trials! |
