![Altus Metrum Logo](logo.png) Open hardware and software designs for high powered model rocketry by [Bdale Garbee](http://gag.com/~bdale) and [Keith Packard](http://keithp.com/keithp).

All hardware designs on this site are licensed under the [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org/) [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html), and all the software is under the [GNU](http://www.gnu.org/) [General Public License, version 2](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html) or compatible licenses. # [Latest News](News) # # Where to Buy # All Altus Metrum products are available from the [Garbee and Garbee](http://auric.gag.com) web store. Additionally, starter kits are available from our distributors, including [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com), [Australian Rocketry](http://www.ausrocketry.com), and [Aerospace Education](http://www.rockets.co.nz) in New Zealand. # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version # # Products # These products are all available for purchase: * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) is our flagship product, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with GPS and bidirectional RF telemetry link. * [TeleMini](TeleMini/) is a smaller dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric pressure sensor * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) is a simple RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with rockets using [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/). It may also be useful as a generic RF interface for other microcontroller systems. * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/) is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in Altus Metrum products. * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the ideal altimeter for model rocket contests. # Projects # These are projects we're working on that may become products someday: * [AltOS](AltOS/) is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for the set of hardware projects here. * [MegaDongle](MegaDongle/) is a higher-performance alternative to [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/). * [MegaMetrum](MegaMetrum/) is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, more and better sensors, GPS, and a high performance bidirectional RF telemetry link. * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/) provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to download flight log data. * [OpenAlt](OpenAlt/) was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One prototype was built, but never flown. This project is now indefinitely on hold. * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB. * [TeleNano](TeleNano/) is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric pressure sensor * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 8 additional pyro channels. * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines. * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield. * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/). # Hobby Rocketry # The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html) quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker has published an excellent [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml) on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to fly high power rockets.

To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).

As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from Keith and other friends! # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) # # [Presentations](talks) # # Getting Involved # If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch. As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel free to subscribe to our [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968) and on [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569). Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one, getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do! And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) or our [Printfection Logo Shop](http://printfection.com/altusmetrum) (we're trying to decide which is better, comments welcome!) and buy a t-shirt or sticker! --- ![United States flag](USflag.png) Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the United States of America. --- This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info), and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com) using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org) and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).