Author: Christian Ferracane
More info on Hephaestus’website
For any question contact me via email or DM @christianferracane on Instagram
Hephaestus is a rocketry team born from the idea of Christian Ferracane.
The goal is to do research on building a TVC (thrust vectoring control) rocket in all its part.
This means:
- Electronic research → PCB , EDA , Arduino and Phython.
- Structure research → Testing new materials, 3D printing, CAD design, aerodynamics simulations.
- Propulsion research → Testing on propellant, oxidant and catalysts, performance simulation.
Above you will find all the files that we have decided (or that we have had permission) to publish open source, so that anyone who wants to replicate the project can do it (respect the merits!)
To give a brief description of what is what:
Andromeda: Wherever you see this name know that it refers to avionics. Both hardware and software.
Athena: This is the actual rocket. Physical parts, generally entirely 3D printed (thanks to the sponsors)
TVC: This is the Thrust Vectoring Control device (the little thing keeping the rocket stable)
Cassiopeia: This is the launchpad PCB. It connects to Andromeda and to the ground station to initialize the launch procedure
Ground Station: Everything related to the ground launch control case. Whoever operates the launch has the possibility to start the launch sequence, view the telemetry and to abort the mission at any time remotely.
TVC.V3.0.turntable.mp4
total_rocket_2021-Jan-01_05-29-47PM-000_CustomizedView32735776077_mp4.mp4
For support, email ferracanechristian.it@gmail.com or DM me on instagram .
Unfortunately, since the project has become scholastic we have to follow the directives that come from above. We have been asked not to publish any explicit and working code because in Italy it could create a legal dispute, in which the school does not want to end.
In any case, I (Christian Ferracane) decided to take the responsability to make a very short and harmless sketch code of explanation.
It is composed almost only of comments, but at least it can be a useful tool to start giving a structure. For all those who don’t even know where to start, the advice is as follows:
- Start following some tutorial or Arduino course (once you have the minimal consequences it will also help you to better understand if there is any material online that could help you)
- Try to join the community on instagram, thingiverse or youtube, then from there it is likely that you will be invited to the discord server.
Do not underestimate the importance of collaboration between enthusiasts; you can learn a lot and I know it firsthand.
Dillinger is currently extended with the following plugins.
Instructions on how to use them in your own application are linked below.
| Social | link |
|---|---|
| https://www.instagram.com/hephaestus.space/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_j1_9UICSkZTVNIxCL9Fsg |
| https://twitter.com/hephaestuspace | |
| https://www.reddit.com/user/hephaestus_space | |
| GitHub | https://github.com/hephaestus-space |
| Arduino Projects | https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/hephaestus-space |
My personal advice for PCB production are:
| Name | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| PCBway * | good (FAST!!!) support, fast production and shipment. Matte color silkscreen. | high price compared to competitors |
| JLC PCB | fast productions, great customer service, fantastic pcb quality, EasyEda/LCSC support | Less customizable PCB (small details) |
| NextPcb* | Very kind support, fast production. Matte color silkscreen without extra. A LOT OF CUPONS | Maybe shipping was a little long but i don’t even think it’s their fault |
We exhibited the project at maker faire rome 2021.
Many newspapers have included us in the top 20 of the best projects presented.
I, on the other hand, was defined as one of the protagonists of the edition by Maker Faire itself.
https://makerfairerome.eu/en/makers-starring-at-mfr2021-christian-ferracane/
NC
(non commercial: I’m broke af mate)
ps: if you use it for commercial purposes despite the explicit request not to do it at least give me a little something plz ;)
buy me a coffee ☕
OPEN SOURCE POWAH!