Weekly Update! (Patreon)

Let's talk about updates and progress. First, launch pads.

Launch Pad 2.0(see https://bps.space/launch-pads) got a big update with the new Impulse D2 computer this week. The updates to the computer include continuity detection on each pyro channel, more stable power management, a better remote/countdown switch detection circuit, a new LED, new Buzzer, and of course now it's white! I updated all the launch software to support more complicated ignition sequences as well. Keep reading to find out why...

I made some updates the the landing leg design this week as well. Nothing too big, generally improving the amount of impact force they can take. Many of the improvements actually happened in the printing process. Bumped up the infill and boundary layers, improved inter-layer adhesion a bit too. This is all because either the next or second-next video in the Landing Model Rockets video series will be about landing leg design. Should be a fun one, and it comes out next week for Patrons at the Mach 1 tier!

The Falcon Heavy Second stage should be launching again next week as well. In preparation, I've made some improvements on the vehicle. First, the PID update rate, or rather how fast the TVC mount can move, has roughly doubled. Previously it refreshed at 13.3hz, now it updates at 25hz. That should help the vehicle react much faster to changes in orientation. I'm also jacking up the PID gains, or how sensitive the TVC system is. As a result the next flight may end up doing some overcorrecting, but I'm willing to have some oscillation on the rocket if it means it will fly a bit straighter. I think the tuning on the rocket for the last flight was just too weak. Also just like the new launch computer, the most important update is that I've painted the fairing white!

And finally, the full F A L C O N  H E A V Y  is coming soon! I've been improving the launch pad because getting the FH off the ground with a second stage will be a challenge. The center core will fly with a long burning APCP(composite) motor, while the side cores will still use shorter BP(black powder) motors. APCP motors can be hard to light reliably sometimes, while BP motors are a bit more predictable. To deal with this, the FH ignition sequence starts at T - 2 seconds with the center core coming up to thrust. The vehicle is still held down at this point. Between T - 2 and T - 0 the launch operator(me) will flip a switch to confirm whether the center core has truly ignited. If not, I'll leave the switch off, and the side cores will stay unlit with the vehicle on the pad. At that point, we can recycle the count with a new ignitor in the center core.

If the center core ignites successfully, it's time to boogie! I'll flip the ignition confirmation switch between T - 2 and T - 0, and at T - 0 the side cores will ignite. At the same time, all 8 of the launch hold down clamps will release, and FH will head to o̶r̶b̶i̶t̶, uhhh I mean 1-200 meters AGL :)

There are a few photos attached here, check em out, and that's all for now! Thanks for reading, let me know if you have any questions, and thank you again for your support!

Joe Barnard