BRD 2007 Launch Go/No Go Decision

We're now almost one month away from the Black Rock Desert (BRD) "BALLS" 2007 launch. And we're not totally ready to launch, so we met today to specifically call "go/no-go" on the launch.

Besides the the BRD, the next available launch date is October 12th, in Brothers, which is an OROC launch date. Launching with OROC requires a bit of coordination with them, but it's fun to have other amateur rockets around, and it's great to share an FAA waiver. Note that 10/12 is only two weeks past 9/29, so it actually doesn't buy us that much time. But two weeks can make a big difference.

This is meant to be sort of a to-do list, with notes.

Airframe

We have:
- 6x metal modules
- 6x couplers
- 2x launch lugs
We need:
- Nose cone mold - critical path, complex, min. two weeks
  - Still not done, which is critical path for the recovery system.
  - Nose cone construction is complex and may take a long time.
  - week to make the mold, week to make the cone, but all recovery tests need to happen after this.
  - Nosecone tip and tip ring (on the cone)
- Recovery system - critical path, complex, min. two weeks
- New parachute
  - Parachute deployment test
- New separation ring
  - separation ring test
- Line cutters for main chute deployment
  - Need to be remade (same design as LV1a)
- Recovery connection to airframe
- Fins - Not critical path, it's being done in parallel
  - Fin clamps
- Fairing (for motor) - ?
  - Motor coupler
  - Motor centering ring
- Aeroshell - ?
  - May be complex because the epoxy infusion method yet
- Motor igniter
- Possibly an umbilical connector?

Avionics

We have:
- ATV camera
- Power amp
- umbilical cord and connector
We need:
- Recovery node - Not Done.
  - All depends on igniter characteristics
  - Design of application circuitry
- ATV - stand-alone ATV in one of the modules
  - Camera shroud/mount in module
  - Exciter
    - Requires hacking? Needs research.
    - Is there another 1.3 GHz exciter?
  - Cylindrical patch antenna for ATV
    - Is there a dirty and cheap alternative?
  - 12V batteries & DC-DC conversters & power switch
  - Mounting plate in one of the modules
  - Umbilical cord on rocket
  - Possible replacement: hacked cheap solid state camcorder

Launch Tower

We have:
- Two sections of tower
- Rail
- Rail attachments
- Base
We need:
- Guy wires & Al screw anchors & turnbuckles & Misc.
- Full on system test

Launch Tower Computer

We have:
- Launch tower computer + full power setup
We need:
- Hack LTC to bypass rocket ready
- Configure launchcontrol to not talk to rocket

Field Server/LTC Comm

We have:
- tripods
- 10' masts
- All the infrastructure on the launch table
We need:
- 2x longer masts for wifi comm
- "tent-class" guy wires
- Longer 9913 coax
- 20 db parabolic dishes?
- Test new mast system

2m Communications

We have all the old equipment:
- Yaesu ground station
- J - pole
- Various handhelds, GPSs, compasses, etc.

Infrastructure

We have:
- 2x 10 x 10 tents
- The old launch control table
We need:
- ~ 1kW generator - buy one?
- 8' tables
- Chairs
- Snacks!! and coffee.
- Truck and/or van

Decision

Based on the state of the airframe, we decided that the September 29th BRD 2007 launch just isn't feasible to make. We're holding off on the October 12th decision until a meeting in two weeks. That decision will be based on what gets done in the next two weeks, so go team go!