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Tri Valley Mars Society - 2026-27 Flagship Project Roadmap
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Flagship Project: modular, rapidly deployable thin-shell construction system for Mars habitats | trivalleymarssociety.com
Please provide a specific question or request regarding the sheet data.
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Quotas in column J are the MINIMUM per member (team of ~10). Steps refer to the 16-step research plan (see the "16-Step Breakdown" tab). Items marked TBD: see "Open Items".
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Color key: Yellow = deadline | Green = extra working session (Pleasanton Library) | Gray = async / break / not planned | Blue = ACSEF partnership
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Start DateEnd DateStart TimeEnd TimeTrackLocationFormatStep(s)Activity / AgendaEvery Member Must (minimum)Team Output / Done WhenKey MilestoneNotesMeeting Minutes
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Sep 11, 2026Sep 11, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMTraining Program Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person-Weekly team meeting - Phase 1: Prior Knowledge to the ProjectPaper Abstract Submission, Oct 8
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Sep 18, 2026Sep 18, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMTraining Program Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person-Weekly team meeting - Phase 1: Discussing Final Plan, Assign everyone works, Doing ResearchPaper Abstract Submission, Oct 8
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Sep 25, 2026Sep 25, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMTraining Program Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person-Weekly team meeting - Phase 1: Writing AbstractPaper Abstract Submission, Oct 8
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Oct 2, 2026Oct 2, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMTraining Program Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person-Weekly team meeting - Phase 1: Finalizing AbstractPaper Abstract Submission, Oct 8
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Oct 8, 2026Oct 8, 2026TBDTBDASCEND Abstract DDL + Flagship KickoffAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person1(1) Submit the AIAA ASCEND 2027 abstract (training project closes). (2) FLAGSHIP KICKOFF: 10-min overview of the project goal, the 16-step plan and this roadmap. (3) Form 5 Knowledge Groups (2 members each): G1 Mars Environment & Loads; G2 Thin-Shell Structures & Deployables; G3 Materials & Manufacturing; G4 Habitat Precedents & Architecture; G5 Environmental Systems. (4) Work on the Knowledge Database (one Google Doc, one tab per group) and its entry template:TVMS Flagship Project DatabaseBefore the Oct 16 meeting: add 6 sources to your group's tab. At least 1/3 (>=2) must be papers or patents (journal/conference paper, NASA/ESA technical report, thesis, patent); the rest can be YouTube explainers, visualization websites, articles, books. Every entry: link, summary in your own words, key numbers, why it matters to us, tags.ASCEND abstract submitted. 5 Knowledge Groups formed; database Google Doc shared with everyone.Paper Abstract Submission, Oct 8; Step 1 startsThursday meeting (moved from Friday)
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Oct 16, 2026Oct 16, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person1DATABASE DEADLINE. Each group 2-min update (what we found, what's missing); fix duplicates and incomplete entries. Each group nominates its 2 best sources as Team Must-Reads (10 total). Explain the quiz-question assignment and format; name a Quiz Master who builds the Oct 23 quiz.6 sources complete in your group tab (>=2 papers/patents) and checked by your partner. NEW: write 5 multiple-choice questions from your topic and your sources (Mars basics, key numbers, concepts) in your group tab by Wed Oct 21, 9 PM. Before Oct 23: read the 10 Team Must-Reads and skim the other 4 group tabs.Team total >=60 sources. Team Must-Read list (10) published. Quiz Master named.Shared knowledge database complete
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Oct 23, 2026Oct 23, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person1 > 2KNOWLEDGE QUIZ (~15 min): Quiz Master compiles the 50-question bank into a Google Form (~25 questions, >=4 from every group; members skip their own group's questions). Then 10-min review of the most-missed questions - the group that wrote each one explains it. Introduce the research-question assignment.5 quiz questions submitted by Wed Oct 21, 9 PM. Take the quiz. Before Oct 30: submit 2 candidate research questions in the RQ form (the question, what we would build, what we would measure, why it is new, why it is doable for us by Jan).Quiz results + list of knowledge gaps (most-missed topics).Knowledge quiz (common foundation)
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Oct 30, 2026Oct 30, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person2Collect the ~20 candidate research questions; cluster them by theme; finalize the Session #1 agenda. Each Knowledge Group prepares a 5-min teach-back covering its topic and the quiz's most-missed questions.2 candidate research questions submitted BEFORE this meeting.~20 candidate research questions collected and clustered.
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Oct 31, 2026Oct 31, 2026TBDTBDFlagship Project - Extra Working Session #1Pleasanton Public Library (room TBD)In person2 + 3~2 hrs. (1) Teach-back: each Knowledge Group 5 min. (2) Score candidate research questions (novelty, feasibility with our printer/budget/time, measurable outcome, fits advisor's expertise). (3) Vote: 1 main + 1 backup. (4) Write a 1-page Research Question Brief for the Stanford advisor. (5) STEP 3: split the chosen question into 3-4 sub-topics and form Literature Review Groups (~3 members each, each led by a strong STEM member).Attend; score every RQ; sign up for one Literature Review Group.Research Question Brief emailed to the Stanford advisor by Sun Nov 1. Lit Review Groups + leads set.Research question drafted & sent to Stanford advisorHalloween - morning slot suggested (10:00 AM-12:00 PM); alt. Sun Nov 1. Book room ahead
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Nov 6, 2026Nov 6, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person2 + 3Read the advisor's feedback together; lock Research Question v1.0 (or switch to backup). Each Lit Review Group: 2-min scope check so groups don't overlap.Start deep-reading papers on your sub-topic; notes in the structured template (claim, method, key numbers, limitations, relevance to our question).Research Question v1.0 locked.Research question locked
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Nov 13, 2026Nov 13, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person3Lit Review midpoint: each group 2 min - what the papers agree on, where they disagree, which numbers we will need. Agree the outline of each group's review.>=3 papers deep-read with structured notes.Outline for each group's lit review.
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Nov 16, 2026Nov 16, 2026ICES Abstract Submission DDLN/AOnline-NOT planned for the flagship project (decision: not submitting / undecided).Kept for reference only - see Open Items
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Nov 20, 2026Nov 20, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person3 > 4Lit Review draft check: each group shows its outline + key-numbers table (2 min each). Prep Session #2 (presentation order, slide template).>=5 papers deep-read in total. Write your part of the group review (~1 page) and >=3 slides.Draft lit review docs + slides for every group.
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Nov 21, 2026Nov 21, 2026TBDTBDFlagship Project - Extra Working Session #2Pleasanton Public Library (room TBD)In person4 + 5~2.5 hrs. (1) STEP 4: Lit review presentations, each group 10 min + 5 min Q&A. (2) STEP 5 Methodology & Hypothesis workshop: write the hypothesis (If... then... because...); define independent / dependent / controlled variables; constraints (budget, printer build volume, materials, time, safety); what we measure and with which sensors; baseline / comparison design. (3) Form 4 Methodology Groups for Step 6: M1 Test Article Design, M2 Test Rig & Instrumentation, M3 Procedure & Data Plan, M4 Simulation / Hand Calcs.Present your section of your group's review. Bring >=1 proposed variable or constraint. Sign up for one Methodology Group.Final Lit Review Packets (3-5 page doc + slides + key-numbers table per group) uploaded as team reference. Hypothesis + variable table v0.1. Methodology Groups set.Literature review complete; hypothesis draftedSuggested 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
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Nov 23, 2026Dec 3, 2026Flagship Project - Async WorkOnlineAsync6No meeting Nov 27 (Thanksgiving). Methodology Groups work async: each group drafts its methodology section. M1/M2 also draft a parts list (BOM) with prices.Write >=1 methodology subsection (~1 page, cite the database) by Thu Dec 3, 9 PM.4 methodology section drafts + draft BOM.
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Dec 4, 2026Dec 4, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person6 > 7Each Methodology Group: 4-min summary + open questions. Choose 2 editors to merge sections. Confirm BOM, budget and who orders parts. Name the CAD Team (2-3 strongest CAD members).Leave >=2 written comments on another group's methodology section before the meeting.Merge plan; BOM approved; parts/filament/sensors ordered.
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Dec 5, 2026Dec 5, 2026TBDTBDFlagship Project - Extra Working Session #3Pleasanton Public Library (room TBD)In person7 + 8~2 hrs. STEP 7: walk through all 4 methodology sections; resolve conflicts; agree formal Methodology v0.9 (hypothesis, variables, test article, rig, procedure, data analysis plan). STEP 8 kickoff: CAD Team shows concept CAD; assign build roles (printing, post-processing, rig fabrication, wiring, sensor calibration).Attend; take >=1 hands-on build task.Methodology v0.9 emailed to the Stanford advisor by Sun Dec 6. Build roles assigned.Formal methodology sent to Stanford advisorSuggested 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Dec 11, 2026Dec 11, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person7 + 8Apply the advisor's feedback -> freeze Methodology v1.0. CAD Design Review #1 (screen share): CAD Team presents; everyone else critiques and asks questions.Post >=3 design comments/questions in the CAD Review Log before the meeting. Work on your build task.Methodology v1.0 frozen. CAD v1 approved for printing; test prints started.Methodology frozen
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Dec 18, 2026Dec 18, 20263:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person8 > 9Build check: printed parts, rig, wiring, sensor logging. CAD Design Review #2 (changes from test prints). Assign the light winter-break tasks. Assign 2-3 Protocol Writers for Step 9.Post >=3 more design comments in the CAD Review Log. Finish your build task or hand it off with written notes.Prototype >=80% built; rig records sensor data end-to-end.
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Dec 19, 2026Jan 14, 2027Flagship Project - Winter Break (light tasks)Online / homeAsync8 + 9LIGHT TASKS ONLY. CAD/build team: final prints, assembly, sensor calibration -> hardware complete by Dec 31. Protocol Writers: draft the step-by-step Experiment Protocol by Jan 13. Optional: show the prototype at the ACSEF Open House.Max 1 task and ~2-3 hrs per member over the whole break. Members with no build/protocol task: none required.Hardware done (Dec 31); Protocol draft v0.9 (Jan 13).
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Dec 21, 2026Jan 3, 2027TBDTBDACSEF PartnershipTBDTBDTVMS x ACSEF OPEN HOUSE EVENT (winter break)Open House held during winter breakExact date / time / venue / format still TBD
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Dec 31, 2026Dec 31, 2026Flagship Project - Hardware DeadlineTBDN/A8Prototype + test rig complete and tested (sensors logging, rig runs a full trial).Hardware complete
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Jan 4, 2027May 31, 2027ACSEF PartnershipOnline + TVMS internalHybridCompetition build-out with ACSEF: rules, categories, judging, sponsors, venue, registration, outreachRegistration opens (date TBD)
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Jan 15, 2027Jan 15, 20273:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person9Hardware sign-off. Review the Experiment Protocol draft line by line. Assign trial roles (operator, data recorder, timekeeper, safety/photo). Publish the experiment schedule (Jan 16-28).Read the protocol before the meeting. Sign up for >=2 experiment slots.Protocol v1.0 approved; experiment schedule filled.
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Jan 16, 2027Jan 16, 2027TBDTBDFlagship Project - Extra Working Session #4Pleasanton Public Library (room TBD) / test location TBDIn person9~2-3 hrs. Full dry run of one trial following the protocol exactly; fix problems; then begin official trials.Attend; rotate through every trial role at least once.Dry run passed; first official trials logged.Experiments startConfirm the library allows the rig; otherwise move to the test location
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Jan 16, 2027Jan 28, 2027Flagship Project - Experiment WindowTBD - confirm test locationIn person9Run all planned trials per protocol (all repetitions + baseline). Every trial logged in the run sheet (date, operator, conditions, anomalies).Complete >=2 logged trial sessions.All planned trials done.
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Jan 22, 2027Jan 22, 20273:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person9 + 10Experiment progress: trials done vs planned; review the anomaly log. Form Data Groups (one per dataset / measured variable); each owns cleaning + analysis of its dataset.Join one Data Group.Data Groups formed; analysis template shared.
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Jan 29, 2027Jan 29, 20273:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person10All trials complete. Data Groups show preliminary charts. Cross-group validity checks (outliers, sensor drift, repeatability, error bars).Produce >=1 chart/table + 3-5 sentence interpretation. Cross-check one other group's analysis.Data package + preliminary results emailed to the Stanford advisor.Experiments complete (by Jan 31)
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Jan 30, 2027Jan 30, 2027TBDTBDFlagship Project - Extra Working Session #5Pleasanton Public Library (room TBD)In person11 + 12~2 hrs. STEP 11 full analysis review: were controls held? enough repetitions? measurement error? Does the data support or reject the hypothesis? STEP 12 go / no-go: (A) method is flawed -> back to Step 7, revise and re-run key trials Feb 1-12; (B) method OK but prototype issue -> back to Step 8, modify and re-test; (C) valid -> go to writing. Draft paper outline + section owners.Attend; bring your Data Group's results.Iteration decision recorded; paper outline v0 + section owners.Analysis reviewed; iteration decisionSuggested 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Feb 5, 2027Feb 5, 20273:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person12 + 13Iteration status (if any). Confirm paper outline (Abstract, Intro, Background, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, References) and target format / venue.Own >=1 paper section or subsection (~500-800 words) + >=1 figure or table. Reuse your lit review / methodology / data work.Writing assignments confirmed.
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Feb 12, 2027Feb 12, 20273:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person12 + 13Hard stop for any re-runs. Section drafts due; swap sections for peer review.Section draft submitted. Peer-review 1 other section (>=5 comments).All sections drafted; iteration closed.Iteration closed
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Feb 19, 2027Feb 19, 20273:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person13 + 142 editors present the merged Full Draft v1 (consistent figures, units, references). STEP 14: send to the Stanford advisor.Read the full draft; >=5 comments; verify every citation you used.Full Draft v1 emailed to the Stanford advisor.Full draft to Stanford advisor
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Feb 26, 2027Feb 26, 20273:30 PM4:00 PMFlagship Project - Weekly MeetingAmador Valley High School - LibraryIn person15 + 16Walk through the advisor's feedback; assign final revisions; final proofread; run the submission checklist (format, word count, figures, author list, references).Fix every comment on your section within 3 days.Final paper ready for submission.Final paper ready -> submit (venue & date TBD)Submission target TBD - see Open Items
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Jun 1, 2027Jun 30, 2027TBDTBDACSEF PartnershipTBDTBDTVMS x ACSEF COMPETITION (official joint competition)Competition held - June 2027Exact date / venue / format still TBD
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