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). In recent times, there was unbelievable progress in rocket and spacecraft launch expertise, with SpaceX specifically main the best way in partially reusable designs that may contact down evenly through the use of thrusters to sluggish 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 every other planet. They’re really small rocket payloads the scale of a 12oz soda can, designed to gather knowledge by means of rocket launches at comparatively accessible altitudes (sometimes round a kilometer or so) The title is a reference to CubeSats, which do go into area.
Most CanSats return to stable floor on parachutes, just like the mannequin rockets that carry them. However John wished his to come back down extra like a drone. Not solely would that present extra management over touchdown, however it might introduce the potential for a lot slower descents and thus extra time to collect knowledge.
As a result of John’s CanSat drone needed to match inside that can-sized envelope, he needed to put plenty of engineering work into making every thing compact. The arms that maintain the motors and rotors took up essentially 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 best way, then rubber bands pull the arms up.
Electronically, that is very very like different DIY drones on the market. It has a flight controller, ESCs (digital pace controllers), and motors. Nonetheless, GPS steering wasn’t potential — apparently placing that {hardware} in a rocket is a bit too near missile expertise for the federal government’s liking. However there’s additionally extra {hardware} for knowledge assortment functions. That {hardware} features a DJI FPV video transmission system, sensors, and an Arduino Nano to learn the sensors and ship the related knowledge by means of the transmitter to the bottom station.
Working with a crew of buddies, who largely dealt with the rocketry components, John was in a position to launch his CanSat into the skies. There wasn’t a Pacific Ocean anyplace in sight, so the success of the mission relied on the CanSat’s drone capabilities.
…it largely labored. The touchdown wasn’t as delicate as John wished, however he says that was on account of pilot error greater than anything. Even so, it reached the bottom with none injury and was in a position to proceed flying that day, like every other drone.