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Structures and Mechanisms Card Storming

Unsorted list of ideas

  • DIGITAL FABRICATION OF COMPONENTS AND MECHANISMS
    • could be a problem if it's used to make something that is itself controlled
  • AN OPEN PLATFORM OF STANDARDS (Like LEGOS)
    • vague, but shouldn't be a problem
  • PAYLOAD MOUNT FOR ARDUINOS
    • I have a hard time seeing how this would be a problem; nobody's using an arduino on an actual launch vehicle
  • UPGRADED ELECTRONICS PAYLOAD STRUCTURES - LIKE FOR FIN-FACING CAMERAS
    • payload adapters for launch vehicles are controlled
    • "...including the articles identified in section 1516 of Public Law 105–261: satellite fuel, ground support equipment, test equipment, payload adapter or interface hardware..."
  • FABRICATION IN MAKERSPACES WITH LOCAL TOOLS
    • fine as long as nothing needs to be controlled
    • or we invent a new way to build an ad-hoc network of people who obey export controls
  • EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES
    • The rules do specify that model/HP rockets need to have a minimum of metal components
    • any advanced materials or techniques will inevitably run into USML or CCL rules
  • SOFTWARE TOOLS - CODECAD AND OPENSOURCECAD (CADQUERY)
    • already open source tools will be fine
    • we might run into trouble if we create new software for modeling actual launch vehicles
  • COLLAPSIBLE AND EXPANDABLE MECHANISMS (“ORAGAMI ROCKET”)
    • fine as long as it's model/HP sized
  • THE “BLACK BOX” FOR MODEL ROCKET (CHEAP, DURABLE, RECOVERABLE, LIKE www.carbonorigins.com)
    • shouldn't be a problem; no intention of going to space; no active controls; model/HP sized
  • HARDWARE TOOLS AND JIGS
    • fine
  • SCALABLE PARTS, AND THE ASSOCIATED STANDARDS FOR USING THEM
    • too vague
  • SOFTWARE - STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS TOOLS (LIKE FEA, NASTRAN, etc.)
  • (linked to propulsion as well) PROPULSION TEST STAND STRUCTURE
    • fine if it's model/HP sized
  • (stretching outside the box a bit) SCALE MODEL OF A SIMULATED LAUNCH COMPLEX. FULL GROUND OPS SIMULATION
    • fine
  • (linked in to aerodynamics as well) FIN DESIGN BASED ON J’S MASTERS THESIS (OPTIMIZING SUPERSONIC STRUCTURES TO PREVENT FLUTTER)
    • this information is probably fine if it's already gone public domain due to being academic
    • But anything going supersonic will probably be not-fine
  • STRUCTURAL TESTING (DESTRUCTIVE OR OTHERWISE)
    • probably fine, unless it's like for advanced composite structures
  • STRUCTURAL DESIGN BEST PRACTICES FOR MANUFACTURING, AND OPERATIONS, (AKA LIFECYCLE CONSIDERATION)
    • fine
  • STRUCTURAL INTERACTIONS WITH THE GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
    • vague, but probably fine
  • MATERIALS TESTING FORM AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE (UV, THERMAL, (eventually) VACUUM
    • this probably crosses the line somewhere, but I'm not sure what to search for specifically
  • STRUCTURAL INCORPORATION OF A “MISSION OBJECTIVE” (like rube goldburg, or scientific experiment)
    • fine
  • (linked to electrical/power) HOW TO INCORPORATE POWER STORAGE INTO STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
    • probably fine unless one or more of the specific technologies is too advanced; not sure what to search for
  • ADDRESSING REUSABILITY CONCERNS WITH RESPECT TO STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
    • fine
  • HIGH-RELIABILITY RECOVERY SYSTEM (MECHANISMS)
    • too vague
  • (building on Legos idea) Modular model rocket kit (1 kit, several rockets; maybe based around NARTREK missions)
    • fine since it's model/HP sized
  • Structural Analysis software for both dynamic and static analysis
    • probably crosses a line when it gets advanced; not sure what to search for
  • Launch Pad design/structures
    • the MTCR lists this stuff as controlled, but I think it's only for rockets that can go 300km
  • Go extermely small size (Just how small can I get it?)
    • fine since it's too small to sell or use in the military
    • sharing files, etc
    • educational/entertainment
    • very open source
  • Evaluation/research of tools and machines required to build rockets at scale we are looking at -> Toolset analysis
    • might actually be fine as long as it's not actually used to build a launch vehicle
  • Make sure the materials research covers non-obvious choices (to us at least) like composites, etc
  • Unconventional rockets, like rocket/jet-powered rotors
    • might skirt the regulations
    • would probably be caught under a more general categorization no matter what

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