Thanks for stopping by! I will be
making weekly blog posts with updates of what's happening around the lab.
Not only will I be working in the lab, but will be working on the NASA ASCEND program here at Phoenix College, so I will be including content regarding progress there as well.
I feel honored and excited to be taking part in this scholarship program. I hope you enjoy my blog!
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Not only will I be working in the lab, but will be working on the NASA ASCEND program here at Phoenix College, so I will be including content regarding progress there as well.
I feel honored and excited to be taking part in this scholarship program. I hope you enjoy my blog!
_____________________________________________________________________________
Week 1, Friday:
On my first day, I was introduced to Joshua, Matt, Maria, and others who work in the lab. Everyone seems really nice, and I appreciate being around people who are driven to accomplish their goals and contribute something to the world of research. It helps me be a better student and is also a big part of why I join organizations around campus.
On my first day, I was introduced to Joshua, Matt, Maria, and others who work in the lab. Everyone seems really nice, and I appreciate being around people who are driven to accomplish their goals and contribute something to the world of research. It helps me be a better student and is also a big part of why I join organizations around campus.
I spent my first hours in the lab
watching the safety video series. It was quite long, but for good reason. I
appreciated the simplified descriptions of lab equipment, how to use them, and
proper protocol for preventing hazards in a lab setting. If an issue ever
arises, I feel that I will know what to do now.
After working in the lab, I headed
over to the engineering workroom for the NASA ASCEND program. If you're not
familiar, ASCEND is a high-altitude weather balloon project funded by the
Arizona Space Grant Consortium. STEM students build a payload carrying
scientific experiments on a journey up to 100,000 ft and back, gathering data
along the way. We will also be capturing video and streaming some of it live
during the launch!
This is my second semester on the project, and I am serving as the team lead this time around. I take part in a little bit of everything, but in general I oversee our weekly operations, ensure we are meeting specifications, communicate with Arizona Near Space Research, and handle logistical operations. Our teams include atmospheric profiling, PCB/power distribution, video streaming/software, video stabilization, and mechanical/housing.
This is my second semester on the project, and I am serving as the team lead this time around. I take part in a little bit of everything, but in general I oversee our weekly operations, ensure we are meeting specifications, communicate with Arizona Near Space Research, and handle logistical operations. Our teams include atmospheric profiling, PCB/power distribution, video streaming/software, video stabilization, and mechanical/housing.
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| ASCEND team members discussing the project and working on the bill of materials. |
This week, we sent out our first wave of orders way ahead of schedule! We are planning to get most of our parts ASAP so we can begin building right away due to having a shorter time frame this semester. Building off of last semester's payload, we have found parts that are better, lighter, and some that offer new capabilities for our system. The five teams are working hard to meet established deadlines, and I am very grateful for their efforts.
Check out our website if you want to learn more about ASCEND and see our previous launch video!
See you next week!
