The normal method to land one thing coming from area is to deploy parachutes and, ideally, crash into one thing softish, like a Pacific Ocean (if one is current — Mars not relevant). Lately, there was unbelievable progress in rocket and spacecraft launch know-how, with SpaceX particularly main the way in which in partially reusable designs that may contact down evenly by utilizing thrusters to gradual descent and proper orientation. However most of us gained’t ever have any involvement with that type of factor, which is why John put his efforts into a CanSat that transforms right into a drone for touchdown.
CanSats aren’t actually satellites — they by no means attain area they usually don’t orbit Earth or some other planet. They’re truly small rocket payloads the scale of a 12oz soda can, designed to gather information by means of rocket launches at comparatively accessible altitudes (sometimes round a kilometer or so) The identify is a reference to CubeSats, which do go into area.
Most CanSats return to strong floor on parachutes, just like the mannequin rockets that carry them. However John wished his to return down extra like a drone. Not solely would that present extra management over touchdown, however it could introduce the potential for a lot slower descents and thus extra time to collect information.
As a result of John’s CanSat drone needed to match inside that can-sized envelope, he needed to put a variety of engineering work into making all the pieces compact. The arms that maintain the motors and rotors took up probably the most area, so John designed them to fold down into the CanSat’s physique earlier than deployment. A servo-actuated mechanism lifts a canopy out of the way in which, then rubber bands pull the arms up.
Electronically, that is very very similar to different DIY drones on the market. It has a flight controller, ESCs (digital velocity controllers), and motors. Nonetheless, GPS steering wasn’t attainable — apparently placing that {hardware} in a rocket is a bit too near missile know-how for the federal government’s liking. However there may be additionally further {hardware} for information assortment functions. That {hardware} features a DJI FPV video transmission system, sensors, and an Arduino Nano to learn the sensors and ship the related information by means of the transmitter to the bottom station.
Working with a workforce of associates, who principally dealt with the rocketry elements, John was in a position to launch his CanSat into the skies. There wasn’t a Pacific Ocean wherever in sight, so the success of the mission relied on the CanSat’s drone capabilities.
…it principally labored. The touchdown wasn’t as delicate as John wished, however he says that was attributable to pilot error greater than the rest. Even so, it reached the bottom with none injury and was in a position to proceed flying that day, like some other drone.
