ServoChron Firmware and Documentation Updates

U.S. Water Rockets has released the newest ServoChron: the MSP430 LaunchPad based dual time delayed Servo controller for rocketry and other applications.

The newly enhanced ServoChron functions as a dual programmable delay timer that can move up to 2 servomotors between defined positions after a programmed time delay has elapsed from the moment a trigger input changes state. This functionality is intended for use with model rockets to deploy one or two parachutes at programmed intervals after launch has been detected. However, the device can be used in any situation where a servo needs to change position when some event triggers an input.

New in this version is an immediate trigger override input which can be used to read an apogee detect circuit (like a digital output from an external altimeter) and deploy the parachute immediately. Combine this feature with the built in timer feature and you have an apogee triggered servo deploy system with a timer backup.

The ServoChron will run on any MSP430 LaunchPad, including the early MSP430G2231 based versions. A custom software UART was developed for this variant which allows it to send the same diagnostic messages across the MSP430 Application UART backchannel while still driving the servos, just like the MSP430G2553 based Launchpad version.

A key feature of the ServoChron is the clever user interface, which allows the time delay and the servo positions to be configured without any external switches, and saves the configuration in the nonvolatile memory of the MSP430.

The software also includes an automatic polarity detect on the trigger input, so it will work with Normally Open or Normally Closed trigger circuits.

The ServoChron is demonstrated in a real water rocket launch and parachute recovery in the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uezqy85jiQ

Instructions for making a simple servo operated Parachute deployment system are shown in this tutorial video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqTKXXpD9IU

The configuration of the ServoChron is demonstrated in the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_C4v0zYUuY

Along with the newly improved firmware, we have also reworked all of the instructions and manuals to make them easier to navigate. The new instructions for assembly, programming, and operation of the ServoChron are available at the  following link: http://www.uswaterrockets.com/documents/ServoChron/manual.htm

Launch Report: Test Flight with 7 Onboard Cameras Sets Unofficial World Record

On Novermber 25, 2011 U.S. Water Rockets was finishing some development work on our newly invented Axial Deploy Parachute Recovery System, and modifications to our Free MSP430 LaunchPad based ServoChron Servo Parachute Deploy Recovery System.  To document all of the tests, we needed to attach multiple onboard cameras to the rocket.

We decided that we had a accumulated a large number of cameras over time, and it would be fun to try and set a record for the highest number of cameras on a single launch.

The B-2 Water Rocket was test flown with an unofficial word record of 7 onboard cameras, and while the flight did not go as planned, the cameras recorded the entire chain of events, which allowed us to diagnose and correct the issue. Plus, the flight did succeed in setting the unofficial world record.

The Launch Report and accompanying documentary video containing all of the details of the launch and the results of the flight, including failure analysis and data logs can be found at the following link:

http://www.uswaterrockets.com/launch_reports/2011_11_25/flight_log.htm

Note: The Launch Report article linked above also contains the video proof of the unofficial record.

Launch Report: Experimental High Pressure Carbon Fiber Water Rocket Test

Continuing our 10th year team celebration, we have more secrets to reveal. Along with the top secret designs which we have begun releasing, we are also beginning to publish formerly secret launch reports from some of our ambitious High Pressure Water Rocket experiments.

The launch report we present now is from experiments conducted on December 26, 2008. For this test, we were testing a new avionics system which was needed for a High Power Water Rocket which we will discuss more in future Launch Reports. The launch was featured in one of our early forays into "vlogging", but we did not publish many details about this launch, as we felt other teams who were in pursuit of our WRA2 Water Rocket World Altitude Record would benefit by studying our designs.

The purpose of the test was to validate the design and construction of a new avionics module, but since the rocket for this module was not finished yet, we used our X-12 carbon Fiber Water Rocket as the pressure vessel for the test. We were anxious to validate the new electronics design and also to be the first team to shoot real HD video with an onboard camera on a Water Rocket.

We now have completed a more fulsome write-up of the events of the day, and can publish more detailed photos of the launch. We can now  provide much more detail because we recently unveiled the design for our U.S. Water Rockets Split Collar Cable Tie Rocket Release Mechanism, which is visible in many of the photos taken at the launch site. Now that the secret of the launcher has been revealed, we can publish these formerly secret launch reports which show the launcher in action.

Please click here to view the complete launch report and watch the video of the flight.