LaACES Student Ballooning Course

Welcome to the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium’s Louisiana Aerospace Catalyst Experiences for Students (LaACES) Program.

Part I – Basic Skills Building and Introduction to Basic Components

Part I of the LaACES SBC will introduce the participant to all the technical skills required to complete the LaACES MegaSAT program.

Unit 01 - Introduction to LaACES SBC

This session with provide all introductory materials to introduce you to the course.

Lecture 01.01: LaACES Introduction PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 01.02: LaACES Lab Notebook Presentation  PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Unit 02 - Basic Electronics

This session is devoted to introducing basic electronic concepts and components to the student.  This section also includes activities designed to introduce the students to basic electrical measurements, circuit construction, and assembly techniques.

Lecture 02.01: Electrical Fundamentals PDF Version | Powerpoint Version 

Lecture 02.02: Electronic Components  PDF Version | Powerpoint Version 

Activity 02.03 Using a Multimeter and Making Electrical Measurements (PDF) 

Lecture 02.04: Soldering Techniques PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 02.05: Solder Practice Assembly (PDF)

Lecture 02.06: Op Amp Basics  PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 02.07 Temperature Sensor Calibration(PDF)

Op Amp(TLV27) Datasheet

Thermistor Data Sheet

Thermistor Temperature Curves

Unit 03 - Programming with the Arduino Mega

This session is devoted to introducing basic programming concepts.  Students will learn basic microcontroller programming and the interfaces of the Arduino Mega.

Lecture 03.01: Introduction to Programming PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 03.02: Introduction to Arduino Hardware and IDE PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 03.03: Installing the Arduino IDE and Basic Programming PDF Version

Lecture 03.04 Programming Flowcharts PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 03.05: Basic Digital I/O PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 03.06: Basic Digital Operations on the Arduino PDF Version

Lecture 03.07: Digital Communication Protocols PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 03.08: Oscilloscope Use and Serial Signals PDF Version

Activity 03.09: I2C Communication PDF Version

Lecture 03.10: Analog Signals and Data Acquisition PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 03.11: Using the Arduino ADC PDF Version

Unit 04 - Interfacing with the GPS/SD Shield

Lecture 04.01: The GPS-SD Shield PDF Version | Powerpoint Version 

Lecture 04.02: The Global Positioning System  PDF Version | Powerpoint Version 

Activity 04.03 Assembling the GPS Logger Shield (PDF) 

Lecture 04.04: The GPS Library PDF Version | Powerpoint Version 

Activity 04.05 Programming the GPS (PDF)

Interrupt Sample Code (txt)

Common Commands Sample Code (txt)

Lecture 04.06: Using the SD Card PDF Version | Powerpoint Version 

Activity 04.07 SD Card Programming Pt I(PDF)

Activity 04.08 SD Card Programming Pt II(PDF)

 

Unit 05 - End of Semester Capstone Report

Activity 05.01 LaACES Capstone Datalogger Project (PDF)

Part II – Payload Development

Part II of the LaACES SBC Development of the payload project. In addition to the management skills, this section will discuss generating flight deliverable, documentation, and public presentations.

Unit 06 - Introduction to the Second Semester

Lecture 06.01: Overview of the Spring Semester PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 06.02: Sample LaACES Payloads PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 06.03: Developing a Team Contract PDF Version

Sample Team Contract

Unit 07 - Project Management

Lecture 07.01: Intro to Project Management and the Project Lifecycle PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 07.02: Basics of Requirements PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 07.03: Writing Requirements PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 07.04: System Design PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 07.05: System Diagrams PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 07.07: Task and Cost Estimation PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 07.08: Building a Project Schedule PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 07.09: Risk Management PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Unit 08 - Payload Technical Guidance

Lecture 08.01: Surface Mount Soldering PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 08.02: SMT Solder Practice PDF Version | Video (YouTube)

Lecture 08.03: MegaSAT Board PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 08.04: MegaSAT Assembly Manual PDF Version | Assembly Playlist (YouTube)

Lecture 08.05: Power Systems, Battery, And Power Budgets PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 08.06: Mechanical Design Recommendations PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

 

Unit 09 - Communication Techniques

Lecture 09.01: Guide to Oral Presentations PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 09.02: Presenting Scientific Posters PDF Version | Powerpoint Version