Ares is an actively stabilized model rocket that acts as a stepping stone to more advanced rocketry. It uses thrust vector control to counteract wind and to provide stability even at low speeds. I started this project with a couple friends in 2022 and we had our first successful launch in 2024.

The thrust vector control mount uses two 9 gram servos to rotate an F15-0 rocket motor ±5 degrees on two axes. To know which way to point the motor, the rocket uses a PID control algorithm which is tuned on a simulation of the system in Matlab Simulink.

An custom circuit board with an Arduino Nano controls the TVC mount, ejects the parachute, and does some other boring stuff like log flight data.

The entire internal assembly is 3D-printed and modular, meaning it doesn't depend on the cardboard body tube for strength and is easily assembled and disassembled.

Check out the video that goes into more detail.