Software

At the core of our CanSat’s mission lies an intelligent software system that coordinates every phase of the flight, from liftoff to landing. The Flight Software acts as the brain of the operation, it processes telemetry data and ensures seamless communication with the ground station through XBee radio modules.

The system begins in the “IDLE” state, initializing all onboard electronics and ensuring communication before entering low-power mode to not expend any unnecessary energy. Once commanded, it shifts to “READY” state, preparing for launch. During the “ASCENDING” phase, the software continuously calculates altitude, monitors key flight parameters, and transmits real-time telemetry for analysis.

A critical function of our software is detecting the precise moment for the autogyro rotor deployment, ensuring a controlled descent at 5 m/s. As the CanSat transitions into the DESCENDING state, the software activates and stabilizes the onboard camera using a spinning counterweight, keeping it oriented north through the flight. GPS data is transmitted throughout the descent, enabling real-time tracking. Upon landing, a buzzer activates to assist in recovery, completing the mission.

Developing this level of autonomous flight control demands rigorous programming, testing, and optimization. Your support will help us refine our software, improve real-time decision-making, and push the boundaries of aerospace automation—bringing us one step closer to the future of intelligent space systems.​

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-Aaditya M.