Rocket Telemetry System for NASA SL

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Table of Contents

NASA SL Challenge

This project implements a data collection system for model rockets using a Raspberry Pi Pico, encoding telemetry data into audio signals transmitted via the AX.25/APRS protocol. The system is designed to work with affordable amateur radio equipment and can be easily deployed within the constraints of a model rocket.

Required 3 or more data points. This is capable of doing all 8.

  • Temperature of landing site
  • Apogee reached
  • Battery check/power status
  • Orientation of on-board STEMnauts
  • Time of landing
  • Maximum velocity
  • Landing velocity, G-forces sustained
  • Calculated STEMnaut crew survivability

Features

  • Data Encoding and Decoding: Telemetry data is encoded into audio signals using the APRS protocol and decoded by a compatible receiver.
  • Raspberry Pi Pico: Utilizes the Pico's capabilities for processing and communication while keeping the system compact and cost-effective.
  • Low-Cost, Lightweight Solution: Designed to be as inexpensive as possible while maintaining reliability, suitable for space-limited applications like model rockets.

Hardware

  • Raspberry Pi Pico: A low-cost microcontroller used for data processing and APRS encoding.
  • Amateur Radio Transceiver: For transmitting and receiving the encoded APRS signals (ex: Baofeng UV-5R).
  • Audio Cable: To connect the transmitter to the Pico and the receiver to the decoder.
  • Antennas: Designed for receiving weak signals in various environments.
  • APRS Decoder: For converting the received signal to readable data (ex: Direwolf)
  • Power Supply: Adequate power supply for the Raspberry Pi Pico and radio equipment (ex: batteries).

Software

  • C and C++: Programming languages used for writing and uploading the firmware to the Raspberry Pi Pico.
  • AX.25 Protocol Libraries: Libraries for encoding and decoding AX.25 signals.
  • Radio Receiver Software: Compatible software for decoding the AX.25 protocol from the radio receiver (ex: soundcard-based decoders or SDR software).

Source