Embedded Files
Project Overview
Project Overview
This site is best viewed as a desktop site - some browsers may not load the images throughout, please try google chrome if they're missing.
This website is still work in progress, any links highlighted orange are incomplete.
I'm a 17-year-old student in the UK studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and Physics A Levels. My passion for engineering has led me to this multiple-year challenge to design, build, and launch a fully autonomous, guided flight system capable of a soft, controlled landing. This site documents the projects journey through design, failure and redevelopment.
The development can be split into the following three sections, with more info about the engineering, awards, and funding below:
1 - The Beginning
1 - The Beginning
My initial challenge was to create a rocket that could remain stable without fins, balancing itself with Thrust Vector Control (TVC).
I started by building a PID-based system on a custom flight computer, eventually getting the rocket stable in a hold-down test stand through an iterative design process.
Unfortunately, this rocket's life ended with a catastrophic motor failure - a setback that gave me the opportunity to redevelop everything from the ground up.
2- Stable Flight
2- Stable Flight
Learning from the first attempt, I re-engineered the entire system for a seamless launch.
On the hardware side, I developed a more advanced flight computer using SMT components and a redesigned, more rigid PET-CF engine gimbal.
For the software, I replaced the standard PID controller by developing and training a custom neural network in my own physics simulation.
The result of this thorough R&D was a perfectly stable flight on the very first attempt.
Mark III - Guidance Development (current)
Mark III - Guidance Development (current)
With stability proven, the goal is a soft, guided landing in a net.
I've expanded the machine learning system into a new custom 6DOF physics engine to enable the training of a guidance model (shown left, more info below)
I've developed a new multi-MCU flight computer allowing for high speed state estimation with data from multiple sensors including RTK-GNSS to achieve cm accuracy.
The new hardware is mostly complete thanks to help from partners such as Sparkfun, only needing final cosmetic work such as painting before testing can begin.
The entire project is being developed closely with the UK Rocketry Association's Safety and Technical committee to ensure safe testing and flights. More info...
Hardware Engineering
Hardware Engineering
The development of this rocket has given me experience in taking an iterative approach to design and also in manufacturing with 3D printing and CNC machining. I've developed 3 rockets, each improving on the previous one - based on both my own learning from previous results, as well as specific material testing to choose which to use.
Over the course of this project I've developed 3 flight computers - starting from embedding an arduino, and moving on to developing my own multi-MCU board. I've been able to gain experience with electronics engineering; learning how to understand component data sheets, and how to design for multi layer SMD boards.
Safety & Testing
Safety & Testing
Rocketry can be a dangerous hobby, and so safety is a core focus taken into consideration at every stage of project development and testing. This allows me to ensure I'm never at risk of harming anyone or anything when tests do not go to plan. I make sure to follow all UKRA Safety Code guidelines, and have also worked with them to ensure safety for my current guidance project.
The seamless launch system I've developed relies heavily on my tightly-integrated software ecosystem, comprising of a 6DOF physics engine for machine learning, a cross-platform app for control, and real-time C++ firmware on the flight computer.
I've developed a custom 6DOF physics engine in Swift to provide the high-speed training environment for my evolutionary machine learning algorithms.
The embedded software for my flight computers utilises C++ for real-time processing and control of all vehicle functions from state estimation to wireless communication.
I developed a cross platform application to enable full control of the rocket, from pre-flight tuning, to telemetry display. It also provides wireless secure remote launch capability.
Engineering Award
Engineering Award
The successful development of the first stable rocket earned an 'Excellence in Engineering' award from OptimaSC, which included a £200 reward that helped fund early development.
Documenting the project on YouTube has attracted a community of supporters and led to valuable partnerships. This has resulted in sponsorships from companies like Bambu Lab and JLCPCB, and a donation page has been created to help fund ongoing development.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse