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 Bdale and Keith share a strong commitment to
11 [Free Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software), and as long time
12 contributors to the [Debian](https://www.debian.org/) project are fully
14 [Debian Social Contract](https://www.debian.org/social_contract). In the
15 context of what you find here, this translates into an absolute commitment
16 to respect user freedom:
18 <li> all of our hardware designs are licensed under the
19 [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org/)
20 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html)
22 <li> all of our software is under the [GNU](http://www.gnu.org/)
23 [General Public License](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/#GPL) or
26 <li> all of our design tools and the software we use to run our business
31 Bdale's online store has a form you can use to
32 [contact us](http://shop.gag.com/contact/).
34 # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version #
36 # [Latest News](News) #
38 # [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](FAQ) #
40 # Where to Buy the Hardware #
42 Altus Metrum products are available directly from
43 [Bdale's web store](https://shop.gag.com), and from these distributors:
46 * [AMWPro-X](http://amwprox.com)
47 * [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com)
48 * [Chris' Rocket Supplies](http://csrocketry.com)
49 * [LOC Precision](https://locprecision.com/collections/altus-metrum)
50 * [Mile High Rocketry](https://www.milehighrocketry.com)
51 * [RCS Rocket Motor Components](https://www.rocketmotorparts.com/Avionics/cat1577810_4805783.aspx)
52 * [Rocketarium](https://www.rocketarium.com)
53 * [Rocket.Supplies](https://rocket.supplies/)
54 * [Science Education Center](http://sciedcenter.com/)
55 * [Wildman Rocketry](https://wildmanrocketry.com/)
57 * [Canadian Rocket Store](https://www.allrockets.ca)
59 * [SierraFoxHobbies](http://www.sierrafoxhobbies.com)
61 * [Reliable Rocketry](https://sites.google.com/view/reliable-rocketry)
65 These products are available for purchase:
67 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
68 was our original (and still our most popular!) product, a dual-deploy rocketry
69 altimeter with GPS and RF telemetry link.
71 * [TeleMega](TeleMega/)
72 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, more and
73 better sensors, GPS, and RF telemetry link.
75 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
76 is our smallest dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a
77 barometric pressure sensor
79 * [EasyMega](EasyMega/)
80 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, etc. The
81 design is essentially identical to [TeleMega](TeleMega/), but without the
82 GPS receiver and radio telemetry link.
84 * [EasyMini](EasyMini/)
85 is a small, low-cost, dual-deploy rocketry altimeter using just a barometry
88 * [EasyMotor](EasyMotor/)
89 is an in-flight data logger for research motor characterization.
91 * [EasyTimer](EasyTimer/)
92 is a timer-based 2-channel pyro controller with tilt limits
94 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
95 is a simple USB to RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with
96 rockets using any of our products with RF telemetry.
98 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
99 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB. Particularly
100 useful with the [AltosDroid](http://www.altusmetrum.org/AltosDroid/) app for
101 Android devices, or the compatible iOS application available for sale from
102 our friends at [Iron Sheep Productions](http://altosui.ironsheep.biz/).
104 * [TeleGPS](TeleGPS/)
105 is a GPS tracker and logger.
107 * [TeleLaunch](TeleLaunch/)
108 is a wireless launch control system capable of operating up to 792 pads.
110 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
111 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
112 Altus Metrum products.
114 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
115 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
116 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
118 * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/)
119 provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to
120 download flight log data.
124 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
127 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
128 the set of hardware projects here.
130 * [AltosDroid](AltosDroid/)
131 is the name of our Android app based on AltOS.
133 * [ChaosKey](ChaosKey/)
134 is a true hardware random number generator that connects over USB.
136 * [OpenAlt](OpenAlt/)
137 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
138 prototype was built, but never flown.
140 * [QuantiMotor](QuantiMotor/)
141 is a wireless system for operating rocket motor test stands.
143 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
144 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
147 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
148 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
150 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
151 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
152 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
154 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
156 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
157 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
159 # [Documents](Documents) #
160 # [Awards and Recognition](awards) #
164 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
165 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
166 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
167 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
168 has published an excellent
169 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
170 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
171 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
172 fly high power rockets. And thanks to Maddie for pointing out the paghes that
173 [Lisa Richards](http://www.mapcon.com/model-rocket-maintenance-technology) maintains.
175 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
176 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
178 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
179 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
180 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
181 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
182 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
183 Keith and other friends!
185 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
187 # [Presentations](talks) #
191 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
192 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
193 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
194 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
196 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
197 free to subscribe to our
198 [mailing list](https://groups.io/g/altusmetrum). We also hang out on
199 IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
200 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
201 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968), though note
202 we don't check Facebook very often.
204 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
205 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
207 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
208 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) and buy a
213 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
214 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
215 United States of America.
219 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
220 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
221 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
222 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).