More good news.
We
added another major sponsor. We are happy to announce that Barr
Associates will be coating mirrors for us. The steering mirror is a
critical part of our system and regular mirrors just can't cut it at 8
Kilowatts of power. Barr Associates has many years experience in high
performance coatings. They will be delivering a mirror that is
telescope quality and 99.99+% reflective. This mirror would have been
the single biggest expense for us without their support. So we send
them a hearty THANK YOU! and you will be seeing their logo proudly
displayed on our materials.
Less than good news.
We still are not making fast enough headway in the programming dept. And as usual we are starved for cash.
Other good news.
We
have climbers buzzing along cables strung up in the garage, we have the
optics system ready for another round of testing as we narrow it into
the final configuration. Our tracking system keeps passing our tests
with flying colors.
News about the competition.
The
balloon concept has proven non pratical so the organiser has switched
to a helicopter. The safety issues of the manned helicopter are being
worked out now. Turns out helicopters have been used similar to this in
the past.
I am happy about this as I consider the helicopter
more predictable than the balloon. I think the safety issues will be
answered. Although the lasers are powerful enough to be dangerous to a
helicopter, practical power beaming configurations use the laser in a
manner that is somewhat less potent.
The
target venue is still meteor crater but we will be moving to the edge
of the crater instead of the bottom. I think that would be an excellent
spot.
Brian Turner
