Fall 1996: Proposal

Researched NASA's Microgravity project interests. Found book entitled "Opportunities for Microgravity Research Experiments".

"Acoustic Levitation" considered to be interesting, inexpensive & safe.

Developed idea into a feasible project. Drafted proposal outline to NASA User's Guide specifications (Phew!)

Iterations conducted via email & phone, and still met the proposal deadline.

December 20: 24 Winning Teams Announced

January 1997: Experimental Approach

Excel Spreadsheet constructed for resonant frequencies of a rectangular box: formulae from Acoustics textbook.

Started addressing flight requirements.

Asked Institute for funding support: FUNDED!

Contacted Media Office for journalist to fly with the team.

Started measurements in a box.

Developed Project Manual.

February

Noise Reduction still not working: Neighbors mad.

Mode measurements completed: confidence in predictions.

New speakers on order.

Physical Exams done.

Project Manual under construction.

Team interactions via manual on AE School Server to solve meeting time conflicts.

Flight experiment design underway.

March

Quarter Break (NOT for the Flight Team!)

Flight Experiment Development

Project Manual Development

Hazard Analysis

Structural Load Verification

Frequencies for Flight Box measured

Simulator Training with "g-indicator " in a space resembling the Vomit Comet interior to finish in <20 seconds.

April 5: Off to Houston!

Experiment Procedure & Test Conditions Set

Flight Experiment packed up

Misc. items purchased.

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