RELAY ROCKET LAUNCHER

Disclaimer: This project is for educational purposes only. I assume no responsibility for any misuse or accidents resulting from replicating this project. Always prioritize safety and follow local regulations when working with rocket launch mechanisms.

This code allows remote triggering of a rocket launch by sending a specific command via serial communication to the Arduino. It incorporates safety measures by requiring user input to initiate the launch and provides feedback via the serial monitor.

Materials Required:

Arduino board (such as Arduino Uno)
Relay module (make sure it can handle the voltage and current requirements of your rocket launch mechanism)
Rocket launch mechanism (this could be a simple igniter or any other mechanism used to initiate the launch)
Rocket (ensure it's safe and legal to launch in your area)
Power source for the Arduino and relay module (could be a battery pack or a power adapter)
Connecting wires (to connect the Arduino, relay module, and other components)
Serial communication device (such as a computer with Arduino IDE installed or a smartphone with a compatible app to send commands to the Arduino)
Optional: Enclosure or housing to protect the Arduino and relay module from environmental factors

Connect the Relay Module to the Arduino:
- The relay module typically has three pins: VCC, GND, and IN (signal pin).
- Connect the VCC pin of the relay module to the 5V pin on the Arduino.
- Connect the GND pin of the relay module to any GND pin on the Arduino.
- Connect the IN (signal) pin of the relay module to a digital pin on the Arduino (in this code, pin 3 is used).
Connect the Rocket Launch Mechanism to the Relay Module:
- Identify the terminals on the relay module labeled "NO" (Normally Open) and "COM" (Common).
- Connect one terminal of the rocket launch mechanism to the "NO" terminal of the relay module.
- Connect the other terminal of the rocket launch mechanism to the "COM" terminal of the relay module.
Power the Arduino and Relay Module:
- Power the Arduino board using a USB cable connected to your computer or a power adapter.
- Ensure that the relay module is powered either through the Arduino or an external power source if required.
Upload the Code to the Arduino:
- Copy the provided Arduino code into the Arduino IDE.
- Connect the Arduino board to your computer using a USB cable.
- Select the appropriate board and port from the Arduino IDE.
- Click on the "Upload" button to upload the code to the Arduino board.
Open the Serial Monitor:
- Once the code is uploaded, open the Serial Monitor in the Arduino IDE.
- Set the baud rate to 9600.
Test the System:
- Follow the instructions displayed on the Serial Monitor.
- Type "LAUNCH" and press Enter to trigger the rocket launch mechanism.
- Ensure that the relay clicks and the rocket launch mechanism activates as expected.
Safety Precautions:
- Ensure that nobody is near the launch site when testing the system.
- Follow all safety guidelines and regulations when working with rocket launch mechanisms.
- Use caution and adult supervision, especially if conducting experiments with young learners.

By following these steps, you can wire up the rocket launch system to an Arduino and safely test its functionality. Remember to exercise caution and follow all safety precautions to prevent accidents.

Arduino code below with detailed comments explaining each part to someone who's new to programming

/****************************************** * Author: Douglas Fessler * Date: 2017.12.12 * Description: Arduino code for remotely launching a rocket via serial communication. *  ******************************************/
// Define the relay pinint relayPin = 3;
// Variable to store incoming serial commandString command;
void setup() {  // Initialize serial communication at baud rate 9600  Serial.begin(9600);
  // Delay for 2 seconds  delay(2000);
  // Print warning message and instructions on serial monitor  Serial.println(" WARNING ");  Serial.println(" Make sure nobody is around the launch site");  Serial.println("|-----------------------------------------|");  Serial.println("| |");  Serial.println("|The system is ARMED, type LAUNCH to fire!|");  Serial.println("| |");  Serial.println("|-----------------------------------------|");
  // Set relay pin as output  pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);}
void loop() {  // Check if there's any serial data available  if (Serial.available()) {    // Read the serial input until a newline character is encountered    command = Serial.readStringUntil('\n');
    // Remove leading and trailing whitespaces from the command    command.trim();
    // Check the received command    if (command.equals("LAUNCH")) {      // Activate the relay pin to trigger the rocket launch mechanism      digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);            // Wait for 5 seconds      delay(5000);
      // Deactivate the relay pin      digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
      // Print confirmation message and rocket ASCII art      Serial.println("|-----------------------------------------|");      Serial.println("| |");      Serial.println("| THE ROCKET HAS BEEN LAUNCHED |");      Serial.println("| |");      Serial.println("|-----------------------------------------|");      Serial.println(" /\\ ");      Serial.println(" || ");      Serial.println(" || ");      Serial.println(" /||\\ ");      Serial.println(" /:||:\\ ");      Serial.println(" |:||:| ");      Serial.println(" |/||\\| ");      Serial.println(" ** ");      Serial.println(" ** ");    } else if (command.equals("send") || command.equals("data") || command.equals("reboot")) {      // Do nothing for these commands (placeholders for future functionalities)    } else {      // If the command is not recognized, print "Invalid command"      Serial.println("Invalid command");    }  }}

Now, let's go through each part:

Initialization: The code initializes serial communication and a relay pin. The relay pin is connected to a relay module, which controls the rocket launch mechanism.
Setup: Upon starting, the Arduino waits for 2 seconds and then prints a warning message on the serial monitor, alerting the user that the system is armed. It prompts the user to type "LAUNCH" to initiate the launch.
Loop: The Arduino continuously checks for incoming serial commands. When a command is received, it compares it to predefined commands:
- If the command is "LAUNCH", it activates the relay pin to trigger the rocket launch mechanism for 5 seconds and then deactivates it. It also prints a message confirming the launch.
- If the command is "send", "data", or "reboot", it does nothing (these functionalities could be implemented as needed).
- If the command is anything else, it prints "Invalid command" to the serial monitor.

Overall, this code allows remote triggering of a rocket launch by sending a specific command via serial communication to the Arduino. It incorporates safety measures by requiring user input to initiate the launch and provides feedback via the serial monitor.

Donate

If you've enjoyed exploring my Arduino projects and want to see more amazing creations, your support can make a big difference! By contributing, you're helping me continue to innovate and bring even more exciting projects to life. Together, we can explore the endless possibilities of DIY electronics! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow for updates on the latest developments. Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Click here to make a difference with your donation today!