Artemis Avionics - Navigation, Communication, and Control

Author Information

Finn CarlsviFollow

Authors' Class Standing

Finn Carlsvi, Senior

Lead Presenter's Name

Finn Carlsvi

Faculty Mentor Name

Dr. John Hughes

Abstract

With increased power and complexity employed by Embry-Riddle rocketry teams, an advanced avionics and communication system has been created to ensure greater safety standards and control. The system designed consists of:

  1. Two double redundancy autonomous flight computers (four, total) that control the sustainer and booster stages separately.
  2. Custom developed and tested multiple antenna systems with complete autonomous ground tracking stations that ensure continuous communication.
  3. Flight telemetry communication and human input ground control capabilities that further ensure the safety of the rocket flight.

The system described was developed specifically for the Artemis two stage rocket, set to launch at the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition in June 2014. However, the system was designed to be general and can be used on any advanced category rocket.

Our research employs:

  1. System engineering that ensures safety without hindering capability, which includes research in human factors issues.
  2. Double redundancy and defensive programming methods that minimizes failure points in the avionics system.
  3. Dual onboard rocket antenna systems (cloverleaf and quadrifiliar helix antennas) that give directional communication during launch and omnidirectional communication during descent.
  4. Dual ground based directional antennas (helical) with autonomous rocket tracking.

Location

Flight Deck

Start Date

9-4-2014 10:00 AM

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Apr 9th, 10:00 AM

Artemis Avionics - Navigation, Communication, and Control

Flight Deck

With increased power and complexity employed by Embry-Riddle rocketry teams, an advanced avionics and communication system has been created to ensure greater safety standards and control. The system designed consists of:

  1. Two double redundancy autonomous flight computers (four, total) that control the sustainer and booster stages separately.
  2. Custom developed and tested multiple antenna systems with complete autonomous ground tracking stations that ensure continuous communication.
  3. Flight telemetry communication and human input ground control capabilities that further ensure the safety of the rocket flight.

The system described was developed specifically for the Artemis two stage rocket, set to launch at the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition in June 2014. However, the system was designed to be general and can be used on any advanced category rocket.

Our research employs:

  1. System engineering that ensures safety without hindering capability, which includes research in human factors issues.
  2. Double redundancy and defensive programming methods that minimizes failure points in the avionics system.
  3. Dual onboard rocket antenna systems (cloverleaf and quadrifiliar helix antennas) that give directional communication during launch and omnidirectional communication during descent.
  4. Dual ground based directional antennas (helical) with autonomous rocket tracking.