Overview
I built STARLIGHT MINI as a smaller, cheaper flight computer to lower the barrier to entry for new rocketry hobbyists. It's separate design from STARLIGHT priced at $24. I managed two full PCB re-orders after catching bring-up errors, and priced it to be the cheapest flight computer anywhere in the hobby. I've sold over 100 units.
Technical materials
What I learned
- Built a cheaper, smaller flight computer to lower the barrier to entry - $24 instead of $49, same MissionControl software support and JLCPCB manufacturing pipeline as STARLIGHT
- A separate 2-layer PCB design from STARLIGHT, not a revision of it - its own schematic, layout, and firmware reconfiguration
- Managed two full PCB re-orders after catching design errors during bring-up, absorbing the manufacturing lead time and cost of getting overseas-fabricated boards right
- Flew alongside STARLIGHT on Polaris Aerospace's space-altitude attempt
- Sold over 100 units, priced to be the cheapest flight computer available anywhere in the model rocketry hobby
Project related blog posts
- STARLIGHT MINI Flight Computer and the Drive to Succeed
- The Next Frontier: Launching STARLIGHT into Space, Part 2