This week, I continued my work on the NASA-Lunar Outpost project. I also started on a new project of fitting LiDAR cameras to Jackal robots, which will be pictured at the end of the blog. Outside of work, I didn’t find much time to get outdoors, besides a run and some skateboarding.
The NASA project has been coming along well, but the work has been difficult because the project is still in its early phases, and there is not a whole lot of clarity as far as what needs to be done. I have, however, found ways to help. The rover that the components will be mounted to is still in development, but I have been working on designing a bucket that will be attached to the front of the rover in order to enable the machine to move regolith and boulders on the moon. I have also begun to design a mechanism for which the bucket will be attached, similar to a skid-steer. In order to accomplish this, I have begun to learn SolidWorks, a highly-capable CAD program that allows for the design of multiple, interconnected parts at once. In designing the bucket, I will have to perform a variety of calculations in order to determine the ideal bucket design that maximizes strength and minimizes weight. This will involve the application of physics and calculus in order to determine the center of mass, and design around that.
The second project I have been working on is creating a system by which to mount a LiDAR camera to a Jackal robot. I have experimented with multiple systems, including the use of 8020 extruded aluminum, Z-brackets, and bent sheet metal. The camera has a 45 degree field of view, and therefore I had to perform a number of calculations in order to determine the ideal position on the robot in order to maximize the camera’s visibility. Another issue that has surfaced is power supply. The camera requires 24V of power, but the robot only has 12V and 5V outlets, despite the fact that it is designed to work with powerful sensors such as the Ouster OS1 being used.
Outside of work, I haven’t gotten the opportunity to go biking or running much. I only went on one run this week, and did not bike at all, due to the very hot temperatures. I have, however, gotten to bond with my fellow interns, and now go to lunch with them nearly every day. I even was able to meet with a former intern who is now attending Mines.
Over the weekend, my dad and stepmom came out to visit, and I showed them around the town of Golden and the campus, as well as some of the surrounding nature areas. We hiked at Red Rocks and Apex Park, although not far because they were not acclimated to the elevation. I also drove them up Lookout Mountain, of which I have a few photos of at the end.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank a few people who have helped me thus far in my internship. First off, the Turners, who I am staying with for the summer, and who have been very kind and welcoming to me. Next, Dr. Petruska and Rich, the PhD student I am working with, for all their help with any issues or difficulties I have encountered in my project. And Sarah and all of Pinhead for providing me with this amazing opportunity. And finally, my parents, on both sides, for their support on my journey.
Now, the photos. The first three are of the drill/boring machine that the EMI(Earth Mechanics Institute) uses to test new technologies and rock types. Next, a photo of a test chamber filled with regolith. This is used to simulate conditions on the moon, including the gravity. At some point, my team will use this chamber or a similar one to test our rover. Following is a photo of an enormous 3D printer used to build structures up to 2 stories. Then, a zoomed out view of the EMI. After that, there are a few photos of the views from Lookout Mountain, at Windy Saddle overlook, the namesake of my favorite cafe in town. Finally, a photo of a very fat bumblebee and a few photos of Remi, one of my host family’s dogs.
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