3d Printed DIY Launch Controller

[Yukon@K-9 Rocket Tech]

My DIY launch controller is done! It is a 3d printed multi use and programmable launch controller. Last time I posted it looked like this

pad wireless controller

• Yukon@K-9 Rocket Tech
• Jun 21, 2019

and it has some changes.

The system is made out of a gutted remote relay controller. So it can control up to 6 remote relays, 5 dedicated to launch, and the 6th one for powering on and off watever you want. The 4 buttons on the bottom right corner controlls a remote motor controller for whatever task neccesary. One antenna is for the relay, 2nd one is for the motor controller. The systsem could triggera relay 2,500 ft away from inside a building, and should be fine from half a mile outside.

A master key arms or safe the system, and all 5 ignition buttons have it's own arm/safe switch for double security. The system is blue in standby, but turns white when armed.

I have made a launchpad controller PCB which controlls 8 launch clamps, 6 servos, and 2 mosfets for ignition. Before the launchpad computer, I co trolled launches directly from one of the 5 relay modules for ignition, but plan is now to trigger the relay modules to boot up my launch control computers from a distance. Since i can do up to 5, it gives me flexibility, for one can be on my main launch pad, another on my test stand, and so on without having to re setup everything.

For 2020 I plan on making a handheld feild freindly version of this. This one is more for sitting on a desk with my laptop which will receive telemetry to kinda give that "mission control" feeling. It's fot for more stationary permanent areas.

Anyway this and my over engineerd way of turning a cheap amazon rc relay to a launch controller, but hope you like it. I plan to open source this, cause it's pretty streamlined and easy and cheap to build. Put comments and suggestions below

 

[swatkat]

Dang, Pretty nice for canine. At first I thought it would be a cat-tastrophe

 

[Yukon@K-9 Rocket Tech]

Dang, Pretty nice for canine. At first I thought it would be a cat-tastrophe

You made my day,

 

[swatkat]

You made my day,

Down these mean skies... a kat must fly.

 

[mnstargazer]

Looks sweet Dont forget to cat-alog your launches.

I am working on an arduino based launch an RF module for remote launches, programmable launch sequence and dual safety switches as you have (at the launch pad and also at the controller). I like your idea of an auxilliary relay control for "whatever" not sure what that would be yet but I should have plenty of IO available to cover those in the future.

What are you using to obtain a range of 2500 feet? I have some low cost, low power NRF24L01's laying around but they wont give me the range I am looking for, say 500 feet or more would be what I am trying to achieve.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Yukon@K-9 Rocket Tech]

Looks sweet Dont forget to cat-alog your launches.

I am working on an arduino based launch an RF module for remote launches, programmable launch sequence and dual safety switches as you have (at the launch pad and also at the controller). I like your idea of an auxilliary relay control for "whatever" not sure what that would be yet but I should have plenty of IO available to cover those in the future.

What are you using to obtain a range of 2500 feet? I have some low cost, low power NRF24L01's laying around but they wont give me the range I am looking for, say 500 feet or more would be what I am trying to achieve.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the reply sir! For me this system really is a dummy wireless switch board, and all the programmed launch sequence is in a PCB launch computer caller WOOF. The relays would remotely power on and trigger WOOF to start the auto launch sequence from a long range. As for obtaining the 2500 ft range, the radio modules build in the relays had no sort of marking on it, but after a component analysis on the pcb, it's using a cheap 433mhz module. The module also can have a long range antennae capability which is what I soldered on too. I credit the long range to the 433mhz frequncy because the longer wave length give it better penetration and travel

 

[dfgraper]

I don’t have the skills to build something like this, nor the knowledge of the components. Well done! Any chance you would sell fully functional sets?

 

[Yukon@K-9 Rocket Tech]

I don’t have the skills to build something like this, nor the knowledge of the components. Well done! Any chance you would sell fully functional sets?

Thank you so much sir! I'm not planning to sell it, but for sure will open source it, it is a very simple build, because you are just rewiring a commercial relay system into a facny and more ergonomic case

 

[KilroySmith]

Last night, the remote controlled fan in my house turned itself on with no one near the remote control.
Either:
1. I have a ghost in the house, or
2. The receiver received a noise burst, decoded it, and randomly found what looked like a "Turn on Fan" command.

How susceptible is your receiver to unintended turn on?

 

[Yukon@K-9 Rocket Tech]

Last night, the remote controlled fan in my house turned itself on with no one near the remote control.
Either:
1. I have a ghost in the house, or
2. The receiver received a noise burst, decoded it, and randomly found what looked like a "Turn on Fan" command.

How susceptible is your receiver to unintended turn on?

I think it was a ghost Jk. Anyway yes, that is a legitimate concern I have. The remote relays power on an open-source GSE computer I'm working on with a pre-programmed launch sequence, triggering from T-1 min. So in the possible case of radio interference, I have 1 min to shut it down. Also, a lot of modern devices don't run on 433 mghz, so it isn't as big os an issue. I played around with 2.8 gig hertz on many tiny drones and they suffer interference all the time, never did yet with these 433mghz modules