Inside the V-R3x space mission – CircuitPython is Now in Space #CircuitPython #Space @maholli404
The satellite trio “V-R3x” are now deployed and officially a (resounding) success. You might remember these sats: they’re the ones doing what SpaceX wishes Starlink could do + collecting the data Max Holliday’s PhD thesis, BUT, most importantly, they’re running PURE CIRCUITPYTHON! 🐍
Cutting edge tech, all open source (the files will be released when allowed), and conceptualized -> implemented -> integrated onto the rocket in less than one (trying) year.
Max writes:
I did all the hardware, software, and firmware for this mission (standing on the shoulders of Adafruit-giants, of course!) and I’m currently running mission operations. I haven’t slept in 3 days, but who’s counting. I’m grateful for the NASA support on the bureaucracy-side of things, but don’t give their site too many hits if they can’t be bothered to mention my one-man show 😋 https://www.nasa.gov/ames/v-r3x.
Fun pictures below. But before that, I wanted to share with you how awesome CircuitPython flight-software has been:
Turns out deployment from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 put our lovely trio (Littlefoot, Cera, and Petrie) into quite a tumble! Not to worry, they’re still mesh networking, talking to the ground, etc… but an unexpected side effect has been pitiful solar charging performance. Lucky for me, the flight-software has a command that will run Python’s: `exec()` function using anything I want as the arguments – the possibilities are endless! This has enabled countless little hotfixes, queries and tweaks over the past couple days, and I’ll be able to be able to upload a b-dot routine that uses the satellite’s built-in magnetic torque coils to detumble. Huzzah!
Long story short: CircuitPython means these satellites don’t have to become space junk for their remaining 6 years in orbit after they’ve completed their mission… they can be sandboxes! Adafruit made this possible. ❤
LOTS more to come. Max
Here are more pictures from the process:
Here are a couple of chassis curing in my reflow oven in my bathroom
And here are all the pcbs chilling on my windowsill while their staking epoxy cures
Me and the children
This morning’s “ground control” 🤣
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: The latest on Raspberry Pi RP2350-E9, Bluetooth 6, 4,000 Stars and more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
