Arduino Launch Control System (LCS) / Blog: Recent posts

As you may know, the Arduino Launch Control System (LCS) was recently submitted to the Instructables maker site (https://www.instructables.com/The-Arduino-Launch-Control-System-LCS/). This was my second Instructable that I submitted, the first being Project: Icarus (https://www.instructables.com/Project-Icarus-a-Temperature-Sensor-Model-Rocket/). Tonight, I discovered that the Arduino LCS is featured on the Official Arduino Blog.... read more

We are very proud to announce the Version 1.0 release of the Arduino Launch Control System. The release includes all of the code needed to use an Arduino Nano to power a model rocket launch control system that includes a mini weather station. This release also includes a 164 page booklet that describes how the original system was built, includes tips for improving upon the original design, has a complete parts list and a listing of the entire code.... read more

We are pleased to announce the first Release Candidate version of the Arduino Launch Control System (LCS). In this version the code has been reviewed and some final bug clearing and code cleanup has been completed.

In addition to the updated code, a 163-page instruction and code review booklet has been included with the release. The majority of the booklet is spent reviewing the code and providing instruction on program development. The booklet also includes a section on updates and improvements you might consider making to this version of the LCS. It includes a breadboard diagram of the project as well as a schematic drawing. The complete code is included as well as a parts listing and pin diagram for the Uno and Nano boards. A section is included that describes how a toolbox was converted in the LCS. ... read more

We are pleased to announce the third BETA release of the software for the Arduino Launch Control System. This update corrected a couple of lingering issues and removed some test coding. As things continue to progress we are looking forward to our 0.9 series of Release Candidates. These updates will include additional information on the Launch Control System as well as information on the actual construction of the system. Be looking for that in the near future.

We are pleased to announce that the second BETA, version 0.8.5, of the Arduino Launch Control System is now available for downloading. This version of the software has been broken down into multiple sub-sections to make it easier to review the coding. A number of issues have been corrected over the past several months as we went through the BETA testing process. In addition to correcting some bugs the overall size of the program has been decreased and some older, outdated code has been cleaned out as well. The program runs much smoother and is more responsive.... read more

The Launch Control System (LCS) software has also been undergoing BETA testing. This has been in conjunction with the Launch Control System series of posts over at the Rocketry Research Journal (https://rocketryjournal.wordpress.com). We are pleased to report that the BETA testing is nearly complete and we hope to have a BETA release before the end of the October. If things continue to progress as expected, Version 1.0 will be released before the end of 2020.

Today there are two new files available for the Arduino Launch Control System. We have released Version 0.7.6 and Version 0.8.0. Version 0.7.6 is the last version in the 0.7 series. It also marks the ‘lock in’ of the coding. That means no additional upgrades/additions to sensors or coding until after we hit the version 1.0 release. Let me explain the updates since version 0.7.1 and the difference between 0.7.6 and 0.8.0.... read more

We are happy to announce that version 0.7.1 of the Arduino Launch Control System is being released. This version marks the transition from a breadboard development project to a working prototype.

The overall system is working but we are still having a few issues that we hope to track down and rectify. One item that has caused operational issues is the volt meter. While the volt meter works, the sensor appears to draw enough current to reduce the amperage going to the launch pad. In the current prototype we ended up disconnecting the volt sensor from the system to improve launch reliability. ... read more

A couple of changes in this update. We noticed a few minor display details that have been corrected in the code.

Also, after doing some additional testing we have decided to use a 9V battery to power the Arduino as opposed to the rechargeable in the original drawing. The other change is that we have added the resistor for the LED power lamp. That was missing in the original drawing as well. The drawing for the Nano version has been updated with both of these changes.

This is one of the first Arduino rocketry projects that I wanted to design and build. There are a number of Arduino launch systems available on the Internet, and these did help provide inspiration for this project. Yet while they provided some great ideas, I wanted to approach this launch control system from a different angle.

Focus on Research
If you have been to our web site, you know that we often discuss how model rocketry can be used to explore both science and technology. One great way to combine these is to use model rocketry as part of a science or technology fair project. ... read more