Launched Android Figurine into "Space" .. kinda.

[Serpico]

I have been working on a project to launch an Andrew Bell Collectible Android Figurine aboard a model rocket and "return him safely to earth" (in the spirit of the NASA Apollo missions).

The rocket is named "Android1" and the Android Figurine is my "As-droid-naut" Anyway - I had a "fairly" successful test launch of the rocket and the "as-droid-naut" this past weekend and though I'd share the news with yinz. I'm pretty excited!!!

Android1 and the "As-droid-naut" in the ejection platform (minus his chute in this picture):



Here is one of the 4 the videos of the "as-droid-naut" ejecting:



The full coverage, including onboard video, more pictures, and telemetry data are here.

[William_04_x]

I applaud your enthusiasm! Will there be a coming home parade for the Asdroidnaut? Any plans for a Mars landing?

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[wicked]

Thanks for posting this here bro! Love it!

[TisMyDroid]

Omg, what a riot!

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[Serpico]

I applaud your enthusiasm! Will there be a coming home parade for the Asdroidnaut? Any plans for a Mars landing?

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Thanks - this was really just the test launch to verify telemetry, "as-droid-naut" ejection and recovery systems, and location tracking. My final mission goal is 1200' minimum.

As you can see it's a wild ride and we did have what could have been a fatal failure (fortunately inertia kept us somewhat pointed in the right direction). This caused the test flight to fall far from the estimated altitude of 800' (we hit 366').

I need to work on the failure point (launch lug breaking). I also need to figure out how to stabilize the "as-droid-naut" during the recovery/descent. I think longer chute shroud lines should minimize the "pendulum" effect (what you see that makes you "sea sick" lol). I am going to have to implement live GPS location tracking on the "as-droid-naut" as well. He drifted far beyond the expected recovery range - we initially thought we had lost him.

Thanks for the support folks!

[Serpico]

Thanks for posting this here bro! Love it!

Thanks for the support DroidForums.net!!

[Enemyofthestate]

Wicked. Saw a video of a father and son who launched a weather balloon into space and recorded it with an on board iPhone

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[Serpico]

Wicked. Saw a video of a father and son who launched a weather balloon into space and recorded it with an on board iPhone

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Thanks Enemyofthestate. I actually looked into launching a weather balloon to the point where I contacted a local aeronautic/meteorologic school - I saw on a local news website a few students did something similar for their thesis. It was surprisingly LESS expansive than I anticipated and didn't require permits (odd).

Samsung sent up an Android on a weather balloon about a year ago - I wanted to do something that I hadn't seen done before. I searched the interwebs and didn't locate any evidence of this being done prior. Besides as a kid I always wanted to work for NASA ... this is about as close as I will ever get!

[Enemyofthestate]

Thanks Enemyofthestate. I actually looked into launching a weather balloon to the point where I contacted a local aeronautic/meteorologic school - I saw on a local news website a few students did something similar for their thesis. It was surprisingly LESS expansive than I anticipated and didn't require permits (odd).

Samsung sent up an Android on a weather balloon about a year ago - I wanted to do something that I hadn't seen done before. I searched the interwebs and didn't locate any evidence of this being done prior. Besides as a kid I always wanted to work for NASA ... this is about as close as I will ever get!

Man its awesome to say the least. Cant wait to see the max altitude you're able to achieve

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[bazar6]

Lol, Serpico this is awesome!