Created all carts and finalized parts to maximize low-cost

In this log, I spent the past 3 hours properly uploading PCB files, deciding the quantity on the parts I need, and made 3 carts, with one being Elecrow PCB, DigiKey, and Amazon. There is also Ebay, but I convinced my parents to get me those to save my Blueprint budget money :)

Wrote full NASA Techrise entry and submitted it

Since we had completed ideation and CAD, as a spinoff of our main idea, we decided to take an idea from the Aerospace club at our high school and combine it with ours. While the dimensions are a bit different, and there's an electromagnetic coil, the overall idea of cosmic ray muon flux data collection is still the same.

Added design changes to the frame to reduce weight + extra

Changed the frame and kept checking on the splicer to see how many grams of filament (therefore telling us what the weight of all 3d printed parts are as well). Based on this, we made design choices for the frame. Moreover, we made slight changes in size of different parts of the payload, especially the CosmicWatch boxes. We believe this is the final point we need to start building, since we already have our BOM. This project will be heavily focused on the build-side since we need to make our own board.

NOTE: all entries were uploaded at similar times since we had different people working on it and then putting the logs on docs/notes. From there, we cumulatively brought it over here.

Added extrudes + screw holes to be effectively mounted

Added extrudes with screw holes on key areas of the Cosmic Watch container allowing it to be mounted to the frame.

Note: We did this incorrectly at first by making it too complex (as well as the containers) and had to iterate until we got to this final design choice.

Conducted further research on the Cosmic Watch specification

Designed containers for the Cosmic Watch muon detectors. Took into account how the payload will be contained within the styrofoam box, and how the detectors can access the atmosphere.

Also added the center rod that will connect to other payloads.

Added Raspberry Pi to Model

Debated on where raspberry pi should go for the most optimal wiring. Finalized on the position below. Added raspberry pi 2W and mounting holes to the frame, and planned out where future containers will go (this will be seen in future submissions).

Added pi camera, and discussed if we wanted to use two

Added 3d model of the Raspberry pi camera, and designed elevated mounts to ensure the camera wouldn’t jut out. This session also brought along an interesting conversation on what other sensors we could include on the payload, leading to more research. We are thinking of somehow using two pi cameras in order to have one connect to a diffraction grating lens to take spectroscopy pictures.

Started CAD design for payload

Made sure the payload layout and specs could fit properly in a styrofoam box, yet still stay lightweight.

Determined 6 in x 4 in boundaries for the electronic parts

Designed and added the battery box component to the payload to be attached directly to the frame with 4 screws

We believe we are using this solution over regular batteries for a greater chance of not going to ruins (based on past experience).

Created full BOM and checked it over with teachers

Also taking inspiration from old projects, we finalized on the BOM below. We spent a long time seeing what parts were recommended, what the best places were to get them, and more. Then, after, we made sure we had everything we needed and checked it over with mentors. The original one was used from the CosmicWatch folks, but we knew we could add more complexity to the project.

Research regarding my strategy for CosmicWatch payload

Discussed with partner and planned on using two detectors. Muons are created when cosmic ray radiation from the sun hits particles in the Earth's atmosphere. These muons can easily penetrate solid objects, meaning they will pass through the CosmicWatches while being detected. This is why we have 2 detectors: if both detect an event at the same time, it was likely a muon and not some other form of radiation. I also talked to a school teacher on the topic of Muons and how this is relevant.

Potential solutions for HAB flight (this will be funded by our school, but payload will be funded through Blueprint):

Relevant links I will utilize:
https://github.com/spenceraxani/CosmicWatch-Desktop-Muon-Detector-v2/blob/master/ThePhysicsPaper.pdf
http://cosmicwatch.lns.mit.edu/
https://via.library.depaul.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1021&context=ahac
http://cosmicwatch.lns.mit.edu/detector#cosmicwatch (main website)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4IXzNiNxgU (guide)