Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Daniel Wilczak, Senior Dylan Ballback, Junior Leonard Farrell, Sophomore Adam Duke, Junior Kyle Fox, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Daniel Wilczak
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Sergey Drakunov
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to retrofit the existing NASA asteroid prospector flyer prototype electronics, software, and gimbal system to allow anyone interested in controls to go online and connect with a real working device. Test their own control algorithms on a live device that is connected to the global internet. The Asteroid prospector flyer prototype spacecraft was created by Swamp Works engineers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for prototyping flying robotic vehicle that can gather samples on other worlds in places inaccessible to rovers.
The spacecraft has been refitted with new and improved wiring, updated computers, and a website (EasyControls.org) that allows for members to connect, upload code, and watch in real time as their spacecraft is driven using their own controls algorithm. The controls algorithm can be as easy as trying to hold a predetermined angle all the way to a full mission profile. The software developers’ goal is to provide the user with an easy-to-use SDK that allows thruster control and inertial measuring reading without needing to know any hardware complexities.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
EasyControls.org - A real life platform to learn spacecraft controls from your browser.
The purpose of this project is to retrofit the existing NASA asteroid prospector flyer prototype electronics, software, and gimbal system to allow anyone interested in controls to go online and connect with a real working device. Test their own control algorithms on a live device that is connected to the global internet. The Asteroid prospector flyer prototype spacecraft was created by Swamp Works engineers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for prototyping flying robotic vehicle that can gather samples on other worlds in places inaccessible to rovers.
The spacecraft has been refitted with new and improved wiring, updated computers, and a website (EasyControls.org) that allows for members to connect, upload code, and watch in real time as their spacecraft is driven using their own controls algorithm. The controls algorithm can be as easy as trying to hold a predetermined angle all the way to a full mission profile. The software developers’ goal is to provide the user with an easy-to-use SDK that allows thruster control and inertial measuring reading without needing to know any hardware complexities.