Date: 10/3/2013
|
Project Title: Mars Lander Robot Recharger Students Names: Itiel Agramonte, Dean Gonzalez, Lucas Kratofil, Tyler Norkus, James Whaley Mentors/ Coordinator/ Sponsor: Dr. Moore, Dr.
Arora/Ivan Townsend, Michael Solomon |
|
1. Project Title: Mars Lander Robot Recharger |
|
2. Project Objectives/tasks
Breakdown: As stated in an e-mail from our sponsor: “NASA has an existing Martian Lander with several technologies on the deck. The Lander will generate power via a hydrogen fuel cell. This power needs to be transferred to excavators on the surface to charge batteries aboard excavators.” We are to integrate our design into the current Red Rover mobility platform. |
|
3. What was accomplished
the last two weeks on individual tasks- representative supporting data/
documents The Code of Conduct has been rewritten in accordance with department requirements in mind. (entire team) The Needs Assessment has been submitted with as much information included as possible given the lack of communication with our sponsor. (entire team) The team has attempted on several occasions to reach out to Mr. Townsend by both email and by telephone. (James) |
|
4. Summary of
problems encountered and actions taken (and by whom) Our sponsor has been uncommunicative. There have been repeated attempts by James to email and call him (telephone messages were left). After last staff meeting, James attempted to reach him again, this time enlisting the help of Dr. Shih because of his prior communication with Mr. Townsend. Mr. Townsend has not responded to either James or Dr. Shih. On Friday, September 27, 2013, Luke and James visited Dr. Collins in order to check if the department has a protocol which is to be followed if we are not able to reach our sponsor in time. Dr. Collins called Michael Solomon for us and asked if he was able to reach out to Mr. Townsend or, if that was impossible, to speak to management and see if anyone had more time than Mr. Townsend to communicate with our team regarding the project. A solution was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, 2013. However, the Federal government is shut down indefinitely beginning on that date. No Qinetiq employees are working as federal contractors at present, and they have been instructed to do no work until a budget (or continuing resolution) has been passed. Since both Mr. Solomon and Mr. Townsend are Qinetiq employees, we do not know when they will be able to give us the necessary information to begin work on our project. |
|
5. Attached Gantt
chart modifications and analysis if project is behind schedule and summarize
actions planned to overcome the problems) We are currently behind schedule due to lack of sponsor communication. We are calling Michael Townsend today for more information. |
|
6. Work planned for
the next period and the person(s) responsible: All team members are going to attempt a conference call with Mr.
Michael Solomon immediately following this staff meeting. Repeated communication will be attempted if unsuccessful. If information is available, our team will begin work on subsystems
relevant to individual areas of expertise. |
|
7. Open comments/suggestions
(Please feel free to include your private comments): Any help possible in establishing communication with our sponsors would be greatly appreciated. Our team is anxious to begin work on our project and needs suggestions regarding how to proceed. |
|
Coordinator/
Instructor assessment report and corrective action |
|
|