Sequence of Events

The rocket avionics system requirements are structured around the following sequence of events:

Pre-Launch

• Hardware Safety Check

• Configure Flight Software

• Software System Check

• Calibration

Launch

• Send launch command

• Ignite booster

• Detect launch

In Flight

• Record raw sensor data

• Record flight data

• Record rocket vitals (engine temperature/pressure)

• Record video

• Estimate current state (position/velocity/etc.)

Stage Separation

• Detect booster depletion

• Ignite separation charges

Upper-Stage Ignition

• Delay to save fuel and increase peak altitude

• Ignite sustainer

Parachute Deployment

• Detect apogee

• Trigger chute deployment charges

Recovery

• Transmit signal for locating the rocket once it lands

• Download flight data for further analysis

Analysis

• Run more computationally intensive algorithms on the recorded raw sensor data to determine if the flight computer is functioning properly.

• Replay the flight in greater detail

• Use data analysis techniques to create a model of the flight

• Compare flight model to predicted/hypothesized model in order to inform future decisions & improvements