Scope:

This page details large tests. This does not include incremental assemblies & practice for each subsystem, which people will need to do before the launch rehearsal. 

Test 1: Ground Test + CRIMP, 4/6

Required: 

  • Assembly checklists for guidance (should not be too rigorous, rely on training)
  • Verification checklists for rigorous checking of proper assembly (should be very simple and clear and have photos)
  • Flight team assignments

Scope:

  1. Pre-charge cameras, payload, and ALL altimeter batteries 1 day before
  2. Put rocket together with flight team. Go through Assembly steps, especially with Avionics, Recovery, and Payload
  3. Bring rocket out to Field A for ground test with flight team
  4. Turn on electronics from outside the rocket and leave them on for ~1 hour
  5. Perform ground test after ~1 hour 
  6. Transport rocket back to lab

Goals:

  • Practice integration with flight team
  • Verify electronics can be turned on from outside the rocket, including cameras
  • Verify fully integrated pad life

Status: 

  • Completed Avionics + Recovery Ground Test without cameras
  • Refined packing lists 

Test 2: Launch Rehearsal, 4/13

Required: 

  • Verification checklists for rigorous checking of proper assembly (should be very simple and clear and have photos)
  • Flight team assignments

Scope: 

  1. Pack tools & GSE listed in assembly checklists
  2. Pre-charge cameras, payload, and ALL altimeter batteries
  3. Transport only those tools to the hangar
  4. Assemble Hermes II in the hangar
  5. Put in "Final Integration" state
  6. Finish integration in hangar

Goals:

  • Log single point failure locations
  • Refine packing lists
    • Add missing tools & materials
    • Add missing flight parts
  • Log Assembly times
    • Overall start/finish
    • By subsystem
    • Final integration
  • "Wish List" for additional GSE
  • Practice rocket integration in hangar

Test 3: Launch Rehearsal, 4/27 and/or 5/4

Scope: 

  1. Pack tools & GSE listed in assembly checklists
  2. Pre-charge cameras, payload, and ALL altimeter batteries
  3. Transport only those tools to the hangar
  4. Set up tables & test stand as "launch tower" on Briggs prior to transport (simulate "FAR")
  5. Assemble Hermes II in the hangar
    1. Log & acquire any missing tools/GSE
  6. Put in "Final Integration" state
  7. Transport to Briggs Field A with GSE, including test stand as "launch tower"
  8. Perform Integration & Prelaunch procedures (except igniter, incl. raising to vertical)
  9. Verify telemetry in launch ready configuration
  10. Perform "rocket take down" procedures 
  11. "Launch" with telemetry and video during a ground test
  12. Use recovery procedures to pick up & safe the rocket
  13. Transport back to lab
  14. Log all data

Goals:

  • Log times for: 
    • All subsystems' assembly
    • Integration & Prelaunch (separately, at each step if possible) 
    • Rocket take down
    • Pick up & safe the rocket
  • Assign some of the roles
  • Estimate time loss from tools/extra parts left behind
  • Loosely simulate launch environment
  • Determine additional tools/GSE needed for successful launch/recovery
  • Train flight team

Status:

  • Completed assembly of entire rocket 
    • Soft goods assembly very smooth
    • Identified need for more RE's on lower electronics and payload stack assembly
    • Identified assembly issues for AV bay camera (interference between battery & camera enclosures), and LE (interference with PTap and camera enclosure)
    • Identified DAQ switch alignment issue - very difficult to turn on the switch to arm DAQ
  • Completed prelaunch procedures 
    • Put rocket vertical (need 6.2" OD Test tube for pad ops people)
    • Not all cameras armed (1x LE camera was turned on, 1x inserted backwards?)
    • Armed all altimeters
      • Loose screw switch issue: TODO: add lock nuts to opposite end of screw switch
  • Performed ground test 
    • Successful separation of drogue
    • Uncovered wire pull issue, in work

Test 4: Launch Simulation, 5/12-13

Required:

  • All results from previous tests
  • GSE for packed configuration
  • Refined checklists from above tests
  • Pre-set, reasonable adverse conditions

Scope: 

  1. Pack tools & GSE listed in assembly checklists
  2. Pre-charge cameras, payload, and ALL altimeter batteries
  3. Stow in containers that will go to LA
  4. Pack coolers of food, tents, tables
  5. Transport only packed tools to the hangar
  6. Assemble Hermes II in the hangar
    1. forgotten tools, missing parts require time delays to be recorded
  7. Put in "Final Integration" state
  8. Go to sleep, wake up early the next morning
    1. Depart hangar at 7am
  9. Collect everyone at the hangar prior to going to Field A
    1. If people sleep in, they are "sick" and cannot take on the usual role
  10. Set up tables & test stand as "launch tower" on Briggs prior to transport (simulate "FAR")
  11. Pack a car with rocket & GSE, drive to Kresge oval
  12. Transport to Briggs Field with GSE
  13. Perform Integration & Prelaunch procedures (except igniter, incl. raising to vertical)
  14. Verify telemetry in launch ready configuration
  15. Perform "rocket take down" procedures 
  16. Change out batteries in the AV Bay, LE, and NC
  17. Bring rocket back to launch-ready configuration, verify telemetry
  18. Perform "rocket take down" procedures 
  19. Perform "Launch" with telemetry and video during a ground test
  20. Recommended: Recovery team walks 2 miles with backpacks of water & snacks
  21. Rest of team does launch site cleanup
  22. Use recovery procedures to pick up & safe the rocket
  23. Recommended: Recovery team walks 2 miles with the rocket and backpacks of water & snacks
  24. Transport back to lab
  25. Log all data
  26. Report estimated total time (with delays)

Goals: 

  • Test flight team with realistic & adverse launch environment
  • Log times for: 
    • All phases
    • On Pad --> changing a battery --> back to the pad
  • Train support people
  • Get Hype

 

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