Category: Dropship

Took the mg/m³ values and tried to figure out how they affected visibility.  I came up with a solid source that stated 0.1 mg/m³ was 7.5 km in dry air (Venus has 0% RH).

The plot looks linear but if we extrapolate to 0.001 mg/m³ it would be 750 km in a layer that is purportedly “haze” which is, by definition, 5 km or less. They I ran across this graph that used the Extinction Coefficient instead of density.

Which led me to Koschmieder’s Relationship: If k(e) is σ then V = 3/σ or 3 km at 60 km… seems a little high!  Is that because water droplets are so much larger?  If k(e) is in km then there is no further conversion, right?

I performed an interesting exercise over lunch today.  Calculating the geostationary orbit above a floating mine in the clouds of Venus at 50 km AGL.  I used this tool online.

My brother-in-law had some time to sketch ideas for the Dropship (more and more of a departure from the UD-4L just like the interior is) and some concepts for the Venusian Mines.

Seems like a simple idea but using the cardboard from the boxes that the last TV came in, I was able to approximate the curves of the wall panels and used a completely different technique on the starboard interior wall framing than the port side. It was so successful, in fact, that I have some reworking to do on the port side to match.

I successfully modified an M550SV today.  All you have to do is remove the control panel and solder a jumper between either diagonals of SW1.

Edit 10/07/2013: This does NOT work… after about 20 seconds the monitor will shut off again.  I found this out yesterday and am supposed to be installing 6 of these in the simulator tomorrow where I will no longer have access to this panel.

Edit 05/31/2014: I realized that I hadn’t updated what I ended up doing… I did a home-run of two conductors from each monitor to a relay which does a momentary (1 second) switch simulation.  I was able to use just one relay with all of the positives from all of the monitors on one terminal and all the negatives of the terminals on the other.

Edit 06/30/2014: It looks like I did this for nothing – the monitors seem to power on when they detect the VGA signal from the computer… DOH

Edit 07/31/2014: Okay, I didn’t do this for nothing… apparently if the monitors shut off because they lost the VGA signal, they will come on when they detect the VGA signal.  But if you lose power to the monitors they will NOT come back on without hitting the power button.

Officially an LLC today, filed just under the wire for 2012.  A firm that insures operators of amusement attractions recommended that the manufacturer (Unistellar Industries, LLC) be separated from the operator (Paragalactic Entertainment or a variation thereof) for purposes of legal liability and, ultimately, the ability to obtain insurance.

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Looking for business insurance I ran across an article with things you can do to lower your premium.

Setting up the maintenance in CMMS I realized we did not yet have a fire suppression plan for the enclosure.

My research led me to Halon 1211.

• Halon is an effective agent on Class B and C fires, the ones you’re most likely to see in a simulator.
• As a gas, it’s capable of getting into hard-to-reach places like the inner workings of your instrument panel.
• It’s a non-corrosive clean agent, which means it won’t damage items it comes into contact with.
• It won’t shock-cool your avionics.
• It’s lighter and more efficient than CO2.
• Halons are low-toxicity, chemically stable compounds.
• It works in gas form, so it will not obscure your vision like the powder emitted from dry chemical extinguishers. Basically, it’s invisible.

The manufacturer recommends 1 pound of Halon 1211 per 140 cu. ft. of space.  I found 1.25 pound units (too small) and 2.5 pound units for about the same price.

I also inquired about using automatic discharge 165°F units about the efficacy and availability.