Arduino Launch Control System v1.0 Released!

We are very proud to announce the Version 1.0 release of the Arduino Launch Control System (LCS). The LCS is designed for a single rail launch system. This release includes all of the code needed to use an Arduino Nano to power a model rocket launch control system that includes a mini weather station.

This release also includes a 164 page booklet that describes how the original system was built, includes tips for improving upon the original design, has a complete parts list and a listing of the entire code.

The code can be found at our SourceForge site at https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduino-launch-control-system

We look forward to your comments and suggestions on this release.

Arduino Launch Control System V0.9.0 Released

We are pleased to announce the first Release Candidate version of the Arduino Launch Control System (LCS). In this version the code has been reviewed and some final bug clearing and code cleanup has been completed.

In addition to the updated code, a 163-page instruction and code review booklet has been included with the release. The majority of the booklet is spent reviewing the code and providing instruction on program development. The booklet also includes a section on updates and improvements you might consider making to this version of the LCS. It includes a breadboard diagram of the project as well as a schematic drawing. The complete code is included as well as a parts listing and pin diagram for the Uno and Nano boards. A section is included that describes how a toolbox was converted in the LCS.

The booklet not only provides insight into the creation of the project, it also includes information on what types of tools and supplies a new person coming into the hobby of electronics may need. There is even a brief overview of the history of electronics in rocketry.

If you are new to using electronics in model rocketry, the Arduino LCS makes a great first project. The associated booklet provides instructions and insight into why the project is made in the way presented. As it is our first true electronic project outside of the starter kit mini-projects, I include comments on what I felt I did right, what I messed up, and how I can improve the next project.

The software and instruction booklet are available as a single ZIP file at our SourceForge repository. You can download it as well as earlier versions of the code at https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduino-launch-control-system.

 

Flight Logs Version 0.8.5.2 BETA Now Available

This is the eleventh release of the Flight Logs Access database software. It should be considered BETA level software and not for use in a production environment. This is the first release in the 0.8 BETA series. You can download it from our SourceForge repository at https://sourceforge.net/projects/flight-log/files/

This version of the database is being release while work continues on several programming areas and user documentation. This release includes a number of fixes.

Bugs/Issues Resolved

The primary purpose of the 0.8 series is to focus on correcting any issues that are present/known in the software. This is in preparation for the 0.9 series which will be the Release Candidate (RC) versions. There are no new features in this release, nor are any expected until after the version 1.0 release.

The following is a listing of bugs/issues resolved in this release:

Summary

• 3D Printer Preferences – Tab moves to new record
• 3D Printer Preferences – Tab Order
• All Forms – Set Focus based on tab clicked
• Builder & Maintenance Preferences – tab goes to new record
• Builders Log-Tab Order
• Damage Assessment-Add option
• Design Preferences – All tabs Type-tab goes to new record
• Design Preferences Rocket Type-tab order
• Fleet Record – Plan Info Button still a macro
• Fleet Record – Refresh Database
• Fleet Record – Scratch-built Info Button still a macro
• Fleet Record – Tab Order
• Fleet Records – Engine Delay
• Fleet Records – Form Tabs
• Fleet Records – Glider Option Not Selected on Lifting Body
• Fleet Records – Glider Specifications “Invalid use of Null”
• Fleet Records – Preferences
• Fleet Records – Refresh database
• Fleet Records – Tab Order
• Fleet Records – Vehicle Specifications “Invalid use of Null”
• Fleet Records Screen – Recovery Options
• Fleet Records – Status drop-down activates wrong log button
• Fleet Records-Completion Date
• Flight Card Listing – Center Data Fields
• Flight Card Listing – Center Motor Info
• Flight Card Listing Report – Extend lines under data fields to left
• Flight Card Report Date Criteria – Start and end date loop
• Flight Card should only show active rockets in drop down
• Flight Card-Combo Box Headers
• Flight Card-Retain previous entry
• Flight Log – First Flight default selection in Rocket Name Drop-down
• Flight Log Form – Engine Manufacturer Required Entry
• Flight Log Form – Rocket Name Error after selection
• Flight Log Form – tab goes to next record
• Flight Log Form – Tab Order
• Flight Log Form – Time Display
• Flight Log form – Time missing leading 0
• Flight Log Form and Report – minimize form when report is displayed
• Flight Log-Combo Box Headers
• Forms (all) – check for tab order and cycling through all records
• Help File – Preferences Landing Page
• Help File – Preferences Program and Data
• Individual Flight Card – Color data
• Individual Flight Card – Only displaying 1 card per page
• NARTREK form – tab order is incorrect
• Need Scale and Glider type
• No Link to Web Site from Help File
• Personnel Form – Tab Order
• Personnel Form-Web site addresses
• Report Date Criteria Form – Cancel brings up error
• Scratch Built Info – tab cycles to new record
• Update Flight Status – tab ignores OK button
• User name/organization changes to a white bar if clicked on
• Vendor Preferences – Tab Order
• Wrong web site address

Work continues on the Flight Logs program as we are getting closer to the Version 1.0 release. If you discover any issues with the software, please let us know via the Issues section on  SourceForge or sending us an email at austin.aerospace.education@gmail.com.

OpenRocket BETA 5 Now Available for Download

The folks over at the OpenRocket project have announed the release of the 5th BETA version of the OpenRocket software. The program is free and open source, and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. The following is from their post on “Ye Olde Rocket” forum.

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Beta 5 is now available: https://openrocket.info/downloads.h…s=22.02.beta.05

Highlights:

• Major improvements to Cd overrides
• Scripting now works again
• Tons of UI improvements

…and much more.

ALSO: The OpenRocket project is now accepting contributions to fund our ongoing work. Mostly we need money for code signing certificates. See https://openrocket.info/donate.html for details.

Arduino LCS Version 0.8.6 BETA Release

We are pleased to announce the third BETA release of the software for the Arduino Launch Control System which can be downloaded through our SourceForge repository. This update corrected a couple of lingering issues and removed some test coding.

As with our previous releases (Versions 0.8.0 and 0.8.5), this version must be unzipped into its own folder before it can be used.

As things continue to progress we are looking forward to our 0.9 series of Release Candidates. These updates will include additional information on the Launch Control System as well as information on the actual construction of the system. Be looking for that in the near future.

As always, we would love to hear your feedback on this project. You can leave a comment at the end of this post or you can email us at austin.aerospace.education@gmail.com