The new end cap design is better, but still not there. The problem is not that it can’t be sealed. It that we want to seal it with end caps that only weight a few ounces.
The team took a break from beam work last Saturday for sewing on the new launch bag and making ground planes/shields for flight GPS antennas.
Hi,
I was thinking that a slightly redesigned end cap might be both lighter and strong. I have put together a rough drawing at http://butsuri.homelinux.net/scratch/cap.png
Of course you will need a strapping tool, something like http://www.industrysearch.com.au/Products/Strapping_Tools_-_Battery_Powered_-_Hand_Held-20235 or the like. the reason I suggest a strapping tool is that you wont need additional fasteners beyond the strap itself, and the strapping is very strong and relatively light. One note of concern is that foam is weak in tension, so laminating a fabric shell to the outer face will provide additional strength against an outward force of the end cap (thin blue line in drawing).