From ml-meteorite-list-request@mlist-1.sp.cs.cmu.edu Wed Oct  8 22:09:41 1997
Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 22:08:48 -0400
From: Mike Montemerlo <mmde+@cs.cmu.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
To: meteorite-list@cs.cmu.edu
Subject: Meeting #7 Notes
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Meteorite Meeting #7, Tuesday October 8, 1997

Dimi - two new center numbers 1-57244 demonstration    1-57243
expedition
         - don't use old credit cards anymore
         - has mini POs, will be getting new credit cards soon
         - described the model for online purchasing database (had a
sample screenshot)
         - ordered a number of aerial maps of Patriot Hills... they will
arrive in 3 weeks.   vertical and oblique photos
         - showed a book on Antarctica.  It had several pictures of the
Patriot Hills area and some ANI people.
         - considering ATVs for transportation around the camp
         - don't forget the medical evaluations
         - we have 4 new octanes
         - want to do a field test soon

Ben - working on solar experiment
Alex - hunting for snowmobiles.
         - trying to figure out how to get everyone to Antarctica, ANI
is not so keen about only taking part of the group
Stewart - received all parts, planning how the experiment will be run
Mark M. - working on autonomy and stereo
                - working with an undergraduate to get RedHat installed
and the Matrox Meteor driver working
Scott - logistics, tickets
Liam - "massaging" the spectrometer
         - raised some questions about access to the meteorites after
the expedition
Bill - explained how the curation process works, and how the working
group gives access to new meteorites
Matt - the modified camera will be back on Monday
         - he has been looking into getting bicycles modified for
Antarctic conditions.  It could be a very inexpensive way to move around
the camp.  All of the liquid lubricant is replaced, and tires with metal
studs are attached.  Scott says that there is a precedent for bicycles
in Antarctica.

Dimi - wants Sib to figure out networking and data storage for the base
camp.

Stewart gives a presentation on solar power.  Slides are available as a
handout.
    - described the different types of solar cells, including the type
that will be used in the Solar Experiment
    - showed the plan for the solar experiment, as well as the design of
the experimental apparatus
    - very little work has been done with solar powered rovers
    - most previous solar robots are all toys
    - Sojourner is the most sophisticated solar robot
    - Sunraycer cars may be a good example to learn from
    - figured out how many panels we would need to power the current
Nomad vehicle (a lot)
    - described the design issues that will need to be dealt with in
order to realize a solar powered rover