Current Project: Vertical Trajectory System (VTS)
Karl Upton August 2009
Ever since I read the excellent book, “Vertical Trajectory Systems” by Steve Ainsworth, I have been captivated by the idea for low power rockets. Since reading that book, I have roamed the Internet in desperate search of similar “active-fin/guided” model rocket projects. Unfortunately I have not uncovered much information. The only work I have found is listed below. Fortunately, I have some shoulders to stand upon, Mr. Ainsworths and George Gaussaways. I consider my current VTS project to be a continuation of their awesome work.
Ever since I read the excellent book, “Vertical Trajectory Systems” by Steve Ainsworth, I have been captivated by the idea for low power rockets. Since reading that book, I have roamed the Internet in desperate search of similar “active-fin/guided” model rocket projects. Unfortunately I have not uncovered much information. The only work I have found is listed below. Fortunately, I have some shoulders to stand upon, Mr. Ainsworths and George Gaussaways. I consider my current VTS project to be a continuation of their awesome work.
In short, a VTS is an active fin rocket that corrects for gravity turning and wind cocking during a rockets flight. It accomplishes this through controlling active fins from on an onboard sensor/control system. There is no radio control—it is a true embedded flight control system. My prototype design consists of 4 forward active fins or canards, that are controlled via 2 servos receiving input from a multicore microcontroller. The sensor suite consists of TSL230 photodiode arrays, which give input along 2 axes; pitch and yaw, based on the position of the sun. Once this system is up and running, I would like to add rate gyros for further sensor input along the pitch and yaw axes. I am pretty sure I can fit all this within a BT-60 airframe.--If I can master the art of surface mount soldering?!--Worst case scenario is a BT-80 airframe.
I would appreciate any further information about VTS/guided rockets or input on my design listed above.
I would appreciate any further information about VTS/guided rockets or input on my design listed above.
For More Complete Info Concerning VTS/Active Fin Rockets;
Vertical Trajectory Systems, by Steve Ainsworth
Vertical Trajectory Systems and Dynamic Flight Mechanics for Rockets, by David Ketchledge
Sun Based Rocket Guidance, by George Gassaway
www.ibiblio.org/pub/archives/rec.models.rockets/ARTICLES/guidanceFAQ.txt
This is an old webpage FAQ created by Jack Hagerty in 1994?
Vertical Trajectory Systems, by Steve Ainsworth
Vertical Trajectory Systems and Dynamic Flight Mechanics for Rockets, by David Ketchledge
Sun Based Rocket Guidance, by George Gassaway
www.ibiblio.org/pub/archives/rec.models.rockets/ARTICLES/guidanceFAQ.txt
This is an old webpage FAQ created by Jack Hagerty in 1994?