FAQ

About Frequently Asked Questions

Submitted by Matt on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 11:29am
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Questions not answered in the rules, and that do not require a change to the rules document are posted here along with their answers. Most of these are either clarifications to the rules, explanations of the rationale behind a rule, or pertain to the logistics of conducting the competition event.

This site uses a taxonomy system that allows for content to be tagged according to subject matter. Clicking on one of the tags displays other content with the same tag. This allows for more dynamic and flexible categorization than typically found in a book like document structure. Clicking the “FAQ” menu link will always show all of the FAQ related content.

Got a question not answered here? Do you have feedback on one of the questions listed above? Send an email to regolith@californiaspaceauthority.org

What size footprint is the tent that will be placed around the Sandbox?

Submitted by Matt on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 12:33pm
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We plan to use a tent with a footprint of about 20 feet by 40 feet.

How will the placement of the rocks within the randomly selected cells be determined?

Submitted by Matt on Fri, 05/23/2008 - 9:29am
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The placement of the rocks within the randomly selected cells will ultimately be determined by the judges before the beginning of the competition in order to fulfill the intent of the rules. There are several aspects of the rules that will need to be interpreted by the judges for the competition in order to facilitate fairness and implementation.

What kind of surface will the ramp have?

Submitted by Matt on Thu, 05/22/2008 - 2:34pm
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Based on feedback from the registered teams, we are planning on using an expanded sheet metal type of surface.

What type of connector will be used for power?

Submitted by Matt on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 2:35pm
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The excavation hardware will need to have one of these. It is a Neutrik PowerCon® connector.

Pin-out:

  • Positive DC voltage will be provide on the Live (L) terminal
  • Negative DC voltage will be provide on the Ground (PE) terminal
  • The third Neutral (N) will remain unconnected. Future possibilities for data feedback are being considered.

When *exactly* is the team documentation due?

Submitted by Matt on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 10:20am
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The deadline for team documentation is midnight, pacific daylight savings time on June 2, 2008. If the documentation is being submitted via snail mail, it must arrive before 5:00 P.M. on June 2.

Can the video documentation be submitted electonically?

Submitted by Matt on Wed, 05/14/2008 - 3:18pm
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Yes. While a physical medium such as a DVD or a data DVD-R may be the easiest way to send large amounts of data, we can arrange to transfer the data via ftp if contacted by the team leader at least a week before the documentation due date.

Are any limitations going to be placed on the potential configuration of the rocks?

Submitted by Matt on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 4:20pm
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There have been some questions about the placement of the rocks. There are a number of statistically unlikely yet possible arrangements of the rocks that would be potentially more challenging than others for specific excavation hardware configurations. For instance, all of the rocks could be placed near the ramp entrance.

What are the starting location requirements for passive, secondary hardware?

Submitted by Matt on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 3:07pm
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If all of the requirements, such as a random starting location and orientation, are met by the autonomous and mobile excavation hardware, secondary hardware is not required to be placed in a randomized starting location, provided that all rules are followed and all requirements are met. For instance, a stationary and passive (not powered) item that is separate from the primary hardware could be placed on the ramp or near the collector during the 5 minute set up period to simplify access or dumping.

Does the 5 minute setup time include setup of the markers?

Submitted by Matt on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 1:23pm
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Yes. The markers must be set up during the 5 minute period allotted for setting up the excavation hardware.

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