An Introduction to the Arduino Launch Control System

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.

If you are using model rocket in a research project, no doubt weather will be a part of your data collection. Therefore this launch control system provides the user with several weather data points, including:
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Barometric Pressure
In effect, the project has a built-in weather station.

So what does our LCS include? In addition to the weather sensors listed above, the project includes:
• A Real Time Clock (RTC) that keeps the date and time even when power is off to the system
• Two separate power systems - one for the launch pad and a second rechargeable battery for the Arduino
• Launch pad power meter
• 4-digit, 7-segment LED clock that also displays messages
• A 16x2 LCD display for weather data and system messages
• A warning buzzer that sounds during countdown
• Safety key continuity lamp
• Two-button fire sequence

Looking at this from an education angle, the system needed to be able to be constructed by someone in middle or high school. Despite my attempts to keep the costs reasonable, the student or teacher may not be able to purchase all the parts at one time. Therefore it was important that the system be modular. By keeping it modular it allows the user to build what they can, when they can. This philosophy carries over to the coding for the launch system as well. If you look at the Arduino code you will see how different sensors and functions are separated into individual modules.

A modular system also allows for the project to be easily expanded as well. As you start building this project you will no doubt have ideas of your own you may want to incorporate. That’s good!

Lastly I wanted the system to be easy to use and portable. It also had to look cool. Cause if it is not easy to take out to the flying field, no one will use it. And if it doesn’t look cool, well, it just has to look cool!!

The breadboard prototype is complete and has functioned as expected thus far. Our next step is to transition from the breadboard using an Uno board to actual development and using the Nano breadboard. Also I'll be going back and reviewing the code. There will likely be changes based on new ideas and better ways to do things. Additional updates will be forthcoming.

Other Projects

If you enjoy the hobby of model rocketry, you might be interested in several other projects we are working on.

Flight Logs Database
The Flight Logs database project is a great way to keep track of all the rockets in your fleet as well as records of their flights. Visit our Flight Logs project page at https://sourceforge.net/projects/flight-log/

Rocketry Research Journal
We have a web site and a blog that is dedicated to model rocketry. It includes model builds, tech reports, rocketry history and more. Visit us at https://rocketryjournal.wordpress.com/