Alticraft Flight Data Recorder

Dobsinalia Alticraft Flight Data Recorder

About this project

The Alticraft Flight Data Recorder project dates back to 2019 when the first hobby rocket launch tests showed promising results and Dobsinalia members wanted to attain a better understanding of the rocket’s flight characteristics. As a result, the Alticraft FDR project was brought to life, which originally only aimed to capture and save flight data. Since then the project has been expanded to the development of a fully-featured rocket flight control system. The very first version of the Alticraft Flight Data Recorder was assembled in June 2021 and will be deployed in the rocket being developed in Project Horizon.

System and software specifications

  • Microcontroller

    Arduino Nano with the ATmega328 Microprocessor running at 5V.

  • Power

    Powered by a 8.4V, 200mAh GP20R8H rechargeable battery. Battery runtime about 70-90 minutes (depending on circumstances).

  • Sensors

    Captures flight data using an MPU-9250 accelerometer and gyroscope and a BMP-280 digital barometer and thermometer.

  • Launch control

    Controls rocket launch using an ignition current supplied directly from the power source.

  • Staging control

    Controls rocket staging using a 180° servo motor.

  • Safety features

    Equipped with a buzzer to warn personnel standing by on launch. Programmable to automatically abort the launch sequence if an unexpected movement of the rocket is detected (i.e. instability on the launchpad).

  • Recovery assist

    Programmable to turn on the buzzer and status LED to help in locating the rocket on recovery.

  • Easy to process data

    Logs flight data in an easy to read and process CSV format. There are desktop software tools available to help process the flight data.

Download Software Requirements Specification

Download Software Requirements Specification v.3.3.

Gallery

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