Students are introduced to techniques for creating presentations. Both oral and visual communications skills are addressed with the intention that students apply these techniques to present the data logging system they created in the previous unit.

Lecture 17.01: A Guide to Oral Presentations PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session(YouTube)

The LaACES MegaSAT system is designed to allow additional experiments to be added to the flight system.  This Unit provides a basic introduction to the MegaSAT board, the flight requirements that all payloads are mandated to follow and some possible ideas for additional areas of study.  First time groups are encouraged to work with the basic MegaSAT system and not add additional complexity to their first payload. 

Estimated Unit Completion Time: 1 hour

Lecture 18.01: Student Payloads Ideas PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

This unit will introduce participants to Part II of the LaACES SBC.   Part II will cover the documentation and construction of the flight payload.   

Lecture 19.01: Introduction to LaACES SBC part II PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session(YouTube)

This unit will introduce to the participants how working as a team is vital for developing a successful scientific payload.  The attached activity will require the group to create a Team Contract to govern the team’s actions during their work developing the payload. 

Activity 20.01: Developing the Team Contract (PDF)

This unit will be the first of several units covering how to properly manage a project.  This unit will cover lifecycle management and required documentation for the payload program.  

Lecture 21.01: Project Management Lifecycle and Documentation PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session(YouTube)

This project management unit will cover methods of determining and documenting project requirements.  

Lecture 22.01: Basics of Requirements PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Lecture 22.02: Writing Requirements PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Lecture 22.03: Change Management PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Resource 22.01: Writing Good Requirements (PDF)

This project management unit will cover system design requirements and specifications. 

Lecture 23.01: System Design PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Lecture 23.02: Drawing System Diagrams PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

This project management unit will discuss task management and cost analysis needed to properly manage a project.  The participant will learn how to create a timeline, manage task assignments and develop a cost estimate for the program. 

Lecture 24.01: Tasks & Costs PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Lecture 24.02: Working with MS Project PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Lecture 24.02b: Working with LibreProject (Open Source Alternative) PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Lecture 24.03: Building a  Project Schedule PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

Flowcharts charts are a vital tool in developing the operational process flow of a payload and a complete software design.  This unit will introduce and present basic flowchart techniques and tools.  

Lecture 25.01:  Basics of Flowcharts PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Lecture (YouTube)

Resource 25.01: Sample Flowchart and subroutine (ZIP)

This unit discusses project risks and risk management and how to develop and document a complete risk management plan. 

Lecture 26.01: Risk Management PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Session (YouTube)

The Pre-PDR document details the initial investigative steps for the design of the project. This document focuses on the payload mission goal, science background, objectives, and requirements and technical background, objectives, and requirements.

The PDR includes all the results of the preliminary design phase of the project. The PDR should present a basic understanding of the goals and objectives of the project, the science background and requirements, a Preliminary System design, conceptual hardware and software designs, preliminary task list and work schedule including information on resources and long-lead items, and a preliminary risk assessment and management plan.

Video Walkthrough of pre-PDR and PDR templates

Link to Templates:

Pre-PDR Template

PDR Template

This unit introduces the MegaSAT Development board and its assembly manual.  In addition, there is an activity for training in SMD soldering which will be required for the construction of the the MegaSAT board.   

Lecture 27.01: The MegaSat Development Board PDF Version | Powerpoint Version | Recorded Lecture(YouTube)

Activity 27.01: MegaSat Assembly Manual (PDF) | MegaSat Assembly Playlist (YouTube)

Activity 27.02: SMD Soldering Techniques (PDF) | Soldering Video (YouTube)

This unit introduces the various components that are integrated into the MegaSAT board.  The associated activity will demonstrate the serial communication between the MegaSAT and components with the Arduino Mega.  

Lecture 28.01: Real Time Clock and Gyroscope-Accelerometer PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

This unit will discuss designing and building the payload external structure.

Lecture 29.01: LaACES Balloon Vehicle and Flight Profile PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 29.02: Mechanical Design Guidelines PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 29.03: Payload Construction Considerations & Techniques PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 29.04: Constructing an ACES cube payload PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 29.05: Constructing an ACES octagon payload PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 29.01: Constructing a Structure with XPS foam (PDF)

This unit will introduce the students to simple power systems and then move into greater detail on the power systems that can be used with the Arduino Mega and the MegaSAT system.

Lecture 30.01: Simple Power Systems    PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Lecture 30.02: Batteries and Battery Packs  PDF Version | Powerpoint Version

Activity 30.01: Power Systems and Budgets (PDF)

LaACES Flight teams are usually invited to the LSU campus to undergo a full thermal (-50C to 50C) and vacuum test (10mbar) to simulate the extreme flight environment that payloads will experience during the flight.  This is a full day of testing.  After the test is complete, attending groups will present their results to LaACES staff.   Thermal vacuum testing is required for a successful Flight Readiness Review.   Thermal vacuum testing at LSU is usually scheduled for the middle of April during a normal flight schedule. 

This last unit goes over all flight operations planning for the LaACES balloon launches. This will usually detail all launch week activities, including presentation schedules, integration and launch day planning, and recovery operations.  

This last unit goes over all flight operations planning for the LaACES balloon launches. This will usually detail all launch week activities, including presentation schedules, integration and launch day planning, and recovery operations.