Explorer Post 1010
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) 2023 |
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Explorer Post 1010 signed up for the 2023
UAS4STEM (Uncrewed Aircraft Systems)
competition in the fall of 2022. We added a added a few new members in late 2022 and started again.
We held meetings and work sessions at the Rockville Science Center storefront (36C Maryland Ave).
We practiced flying at the Red Gate Park in Rockville (an old golf course).
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Previous
2022
2020/21
2019
2018
2017
2016 |
Using the quad-copter from 2021, we repaired and improved the flight systems.
We replaced the mission mechanisms to meet the
mission requirements. We continuously improved our operations and worked to meet the challenge.
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UAS4STEM requires the students to build and fly a mid-size quad-copter through a competition course in a limited time.
A team is limited to 10 members, who must complete an on-line training session.
The preliminary competition is in spring, and if invited, the national competition is in August.
Every member needs to join the
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
A youth membership is available at
https://www.modelaircraft.org/joinrenew.aspx for $15/year.
The big challenge was designing and creating a mechanism to pick
several different items and drop them off at another target.
This was similar to 2022, when you only had a single bottle. We tried several different mechanism.
We ended up with a system that worked well but you needed to land over the item.
Here is a Slideshow
for the whole project.
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 The Mission (2023 Rulebook)
"A small group of people are stranded after a flash flood. While rescuers have determined a search area,
they are unsure of the exact whereabouts and conditions of those stranded. Your team has been called upon to
provide rapid response, via an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), that can support the Search and Rescue (SAR) mission.
In order to support this mission, your UAS must comply with Special Instructions (SPINS) for departure and
arrival procedures, and then remain within assigned airspace. It will be tasked to search an area for items of
interest and to conduct point reconnaissance. As part of this mission you will be required to pick up and
subsequently deliver a small payload to a designated area."
We received designs of the targets (Water
Bottle, First
Aid Kit, and
Marshmallows).
There was an
update to the rules in March.
Our Team Name: Some Assembly Required
Ethan Shay
Jasmine Li
Julian Dahiya
Lindsay Kossoff
Muhammad Bryant
Nathan Chen
Robert Coates
Samantha Nicole Kay
Theophilus Ansu
Veronica McMahon |
- A.I. Developer/Air Boss
- Mission Specialist/Team Captain
- Air Boss
- Strategic Technician/Visual Observer
- Safety Pilot/Pilot in Command
- Scoring Captain
- Aircraft Specialist/Backup Pilot
- Safety Specialist
- Safety Specialist
- Strategic Technician |
The team was fortunate to have Tom May return
as our adult mentor. He is skilled in aeronautics engineering. His
wife, Beth May, was also very helpful in managing the team, working
logistics, and guiding the project presentations. They were key to the
success of this project.
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Preliminary Competition
As the weather improved, we started flying more to resolve the issues with grabbing the items. We created a
Check List for flying.
For the preliminary competition, we presented from the Rockville Science Center storefront.
The team prepared a
Preliminary Presentation
(PowerPoint)
and gave it using Microsoft Teams. We also had to show
our skill in running Mission Planner.
We got a great score and were invited to the
Final Competition. |
We continued working with grabbing mechanisms. It was a
challenge.
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Final Competition
The Final competition was held in Oshkosh Wisconsin, July 23-28.
It was held in conjunction with the annual international
AirVenture
aviation festival.
We gave a great
National Presentation
(PowerPoint)
in July. And we flew our quadcopter successfully but failed to transport the Marshmallow to a new location.
The festival was a great opportunity to see and interact with aviation exhibits.
We received a message from the
International Space Station.
We were awarded second place. We lost to the first place team by one point.
Also, Muhammad won a $500 scholarship which is given to a graduating senior each year for dedication and determination.
See the
AMA Winner Announcement.
We came up with some
ideas for improving.
We are planning for 2024.
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