Model Rocket Flight Computer
Designed and built an Arduino-based flight computer with integrated sensors, onboard data storage, and a custom 3D-printed housing for a model rocket.
What
- Designed and built an Arduino-based flight computer to record altitude, acceleration, orientation, and GPS measurements.
- Integrated embedded electronics, C++ acquisition software, microSD storage, and a custom enclosure into a model rocket.
- Developed the hardware and mechanical assembly independently, from sensor wiring and CAD to fabrication and pre-flight calculations.
How
- Wired GPS, IMU, and barometric sensors to an Arduino and added microSD storage for onboard data logging.
- Developed C++ software to synchronize and record sensor measurements for subsequent analysis.
- Modeled the electronics tray and cylindrical housing in SolidWorks to organize the components within the rocket.
- 3D printed the tray and housing and assembled the electronics within the custom enclosure.
- Calculated expected trajectory and flight behavior in OpenRocket during pre-flight design.
Results
- Built and wired the flight computer with GPS, inertial, and barometric sensing and microSD storage.
- Fabricated the custom electronics tray and outer housing from the SolidWorks assembly.
- Assembled the model rocket and developed the acquisition hardware and software as part of the ongoing project.
