Our team’s original mission was a technical challenge, in which we attempt to guide the descending satellite to a specified landing place. To achieve this we’ll use a “parafoil” type parachute system, with motorized adjustment using two SG90 (or more powerful if needed) servo motors
After making a makeshift prototype using a modified off the shelf kite we conducted a launch test.
The makeshift prototype with a dummy payload matching the weight of the CanSat was dropped from an approximate height of 7 meters.
The prototype showcased some issues with our concept. The build quality of the makeshift prototype also proved unsatisfactory. The main concern is the release and opening of the parafoil system, which is prone to tangling and altogether not opening correctly.
These issues meant that the test was a failure and we reconsidered our secondary mission.
After a long discussion we came to the conclusion that this mission was not viable for multiple reasons.
- The complicated rope system not being able to open correctly
- The parafoil taking up too much space and weight
- The weight of the whole CanSat is too small and will be heavily affected by the wind, causing it really difficult to control reliably.
These made us pivot from our original idea, and instead do a different secondary mission, which is detailed in our design section.
A video is attached to showcase the main issue with the opening.
