1 ![Altus Metrum Logo](logo.png)
3 <link href="https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569/" rel="publisher" />
5 Open hardware and software designs
6 for high powered model rocketry by
7 [Bdale Garbee](http://gag.com/bdale) and
8 [Keith Packard](http://keithp.com/keithp).
10 All hardware designs on this site are licensed under the
11 [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org/)
12 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html),
13 and all the software is under the
14 [GNU](http://www.gnu.org/)
15 [General Public License, version 2](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html)
16 or compatible licenses.
18 # [Latest News](News) #
20 # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version #
24 Altus Metrum products are available directly from
25 [Bdale's web store](https://shop.gag.com), and from these distributors:
28 * [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com)
29 * [Bay Area Rocketry](http://bayarearocketry.com)
30 * [Chris' Rocket Supplies](http://csrocketry.com)
32 * [Australian Rocketry](http://www.ausrocketry.com)
34 * [SierraFoxHobbies](http://www.sierrafoxhobbies.com)
36 * [Rebel Space](http://rebelspace.eu)
38 * [Aerospace Education](http://www.rockets.co.nz)
42 These products are available for purchase:
44 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
45 is our flagship product, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with
46 GPS and bidirectional RF telemetry link.
48 * [TeleMega](TeleMega/)
49 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, more and
50 better sensors, GPS, and a high performance bidirectional RF telemetry link.
52 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
53 is a simple RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with rockets
54 using [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/). It may also be useful as a generic RF
55 interface for other microcontroller systems. Note that we don't actually
56 sell TeleDongle by itself, it is included in our
57 [Starter Pack](http://shop.gag.com/ground-stations/starter-pack.html) offering.
59 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
60 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB. Particularly
61 useful with the [AltosDroid](http://www.altusmetrum.org/AltosDroid/) app for Android devices!
63 * [EasyMini](EasyMini/)
64 is a small dual-deploy rocketry altimeter using the MS5607 barometry
67 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
68 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
69 Altus Metrum products.
71 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
72 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
73 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
75 * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/)
76 provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to
77 download flight log data.
79 The following products will be available soon:
82 is a GPS tracker and logger using the uBlox Max 7Q GPS receiver for
83 high dynamic performance and a combination digital/APRS transmitter.
85 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
86 is a smaller dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a
87 barometric pressure sensor
91 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
94 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
95 the set of hardware projects here.
97 * [EasyMega](EasyMega/)
98 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, etc. The
99 design is identical to [TeleMega](TeleMega/), but without the GPS receiver
100 and radio telemetry link.
102 * [MegaDongle](MegaDongle/)
103 is a supposedly-higher-performance alternative to [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/).
105 * [OpenAlt](OpenAlt/)
106 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
107 prototype was built, but never flown. This project is now indefinitely on hold.
109 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
110 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
113 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
114 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
116 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
117 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
118 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
120 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
122 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
123 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
125 # [Documents](Documents) #
129 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
130 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
131 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
132 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
133 has published an excellent
134 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
135 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
136 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
137 fly high power rockets.
139 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
140 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
142 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
143 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
144 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
145 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
146 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
147 Keith and other friends!
149 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
151 # [Presentations](talks) #
155 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
156 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
157 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
158 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
160 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
161 free to subscribe to our
162 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
163 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
164 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
165 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
167 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
169 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
170 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
172 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
173 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) or our
174 [Printfection Logo Shop](http://printfection.com/altusmetrum) (we're trying
175 to decide which is better, comments welcome!) and buy a t-shirt or sticker!
179 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
180 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
181 United States of America.
185 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
186 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
187 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
188 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).