Altimeter

Altimeter

In the past few weeks we have made significant progress with both the GTP (Guidance Test Payload) and PSCC (Parachute System Control Computer). This continues to bring us closer to the first test flight of the GTP. With the arrival of new 3D printing material (filament) we were able to print the rest of the…

Electronics

Electronics

We have been continuing our preparations for the first test flight of the GTP (Guidance Test Payload) that will signal the start of the development of the guidance system. Our efforts in the past weeks have been focused in three different areas. First, with the completion of the internal parachute module and the painting of…

Painting

Painting

In the past few weeks we have been focusing on finishing the assembly of the parachute segment. With the internal module complete, we moved on to the outer shell. This shell will be made from a large cardboard like tube and will protect the internal components from damage. It will also provide a mounting point…

The Parachute Module

The Parachute Module

Now that we have decided on the building materials for the GTP (Guidance Test Payload), we can start assembling it. The Gen 2 GTP will be made up of two segments; the parachute segment and below it, the electronics segment. Each segment has two parts; the outer shell and inside it, the module. The outer…

Payload

Payload

A few weeks ago the parachute system underwent it’s first flight test. It’s flawless performance during this test marked the end of the development of the Project Redirect parachute system. We have now begun development of the guidance system. While there are many components that will make up the guidance system, the first step is…

Test 11

Test 11

On the 15th of June, we flight tested the parachute system that we have been developing for Project Redirect. We have finished editing the footage from this test which can be viewed below.

Ready To Fly

Ready To Fly

After the successful test of the Gen 1-P, we were close to finally testing the parachute system in flight. But first, we needed to collect some performance data on the FTS without the parachute system. During this flight test, we discovered that both the drop and camera systems were nonfunctional. The drop system was easily…

Experimenting

Experimenting

The spring powered parachute system has been fraught with problems, ranging from spring power issues to a nonfunctional release mechanism. A month ago, we had to decide if we wanted to continue with a spring powered system or switch to a new power method. We decided that sticking with the spring system was the best…

Assembly

Assembly

After our successes last week, we were confident that we would be ready to fly on Monday. But we had a few final tasks we had to complete before we could fly. The outer shell of the parachute test payload needed to be completed. This is the payload that we will drop from the FTS…