Rocket #8 - GPARS (Globally Positioned Automatic Recovery System)
GPARS is intended to deploy a parafoil parachute at apogee which will then use a GPS receiver and servo controller to guide the rocket back to the launch area. It is the logical extension of my previous SPRS project. The GPS control can be overridden from the ground and the rocket can also be guided by R/C (Radio Control). At this time, I would have to say that GPARS is still in the experimental state. For instance, because I still havent figured out a good way to hook it all up, the current configuration does not guide the entire rocket down, but rather, only the nose cone and electronics module. The fin-can (and attached body-tube) are recovered on another parachute, which is ejected at the same time as the parafoil. Also, as of this writing, I have barely gotten the thing to fly, and have not yet had a chance to meaningfully test the GPS servo controller.
GPARS was built as part of the Modular Rocket System. It uses the UNAV PDC10 GPS servo controller, the "ParaStunter" kite, shown above, from Coastal Kites, and the MicroAlt25K from PerfectFlite, as well as a HiTech R/C radio and 4 cell nicad battery. Most of my work on this rocket went into the electronics module, the details of which can be found by clicking on the "construction details" link, below. Construction DetailsYou can also follow the links in the table below to see the detailed description, pictures, and movies of each flight that GPARS has attempted.
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