It is easier to guide the rocket during flight with GPS Onboard, which can be also used for determining its current velocity, altitude, and location via telemetry. Rockets usually travels faster and higher altitude. The problem is that a GPS unit is restricted to working at upper limits of 999 knots and 60,000 feet. Which are normally lesser than the flight conditions of rockets. Either parameter can be exceeded, however, all data above that value will be recorded at that maximum value.
May 15, 2012 - by Hunt for New Members!
Independence-X is currently undergoing on a manhunt for new members. Of course everything regarding this hunt, boils down to the right chemistry. Its all about complimentary collaboration between members and to be able to work in synergy. We hope to see new members in action by end of this year with sufficient budget to work on our Independence-4 rocket.
March 10, 2012 - by PID Tuning for Autopilot
Currently IDXA is initiating its Autopilot Program for its USV. We are working out to optimise the autopilot control system through the PID tuning of Ziegler-Nichols, Tyren-Leuber and Cohen Coon methods. We plan to conduct the initial phase test using an UAV, before moving to the USV which is to be built. Our plans is to fully leverage on to be built space port near the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, (Capital city of Malaysia).
December 30, 2011 - by Selecting Feeding System For Liquid Propellant Rocket
There are two common types of liquid propellant feeding system. They are pressure fed and pump system. It is important to properly design a feeding system inorder to ensure combustion stability. Which avoids the risk of engine operation catastrophic failure. We at Independence-X are looking at better options for a feeding system, in terms of cost and reliability.
November 21, 2011 - by Unmanned Space Vehicle
Unmanned Space Vehicle or USV is a truly interesting concept, its like an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for space. The idea of USV have been around for very long time, especially during the Space Race era between the United States and Soviet Union. In fact the Soyuz spacecraft which was meant for Soviet Lunar mission was autonomous and ground controlled even it carried human passengers on board. These days the cost of space access is a major concern, therefore many organizations and private companies are trying very hard to revolutionise the way we fly to space at relatively lower cost.
November 2, 2011 - by Joystick for Lunar Lander and Rover Servo Control
I was looking at an ergonomic control for the servos and decided to use joystick as the HID (Human Interface Device). The joystick will be plugged into USB (Universal Serial Bus) and linked to a special program to capture the joystick movement and interpret them into ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) strings of data. This data will be later sent back out again through another USB port and is passed to a standard UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) device to convert data clock pulse of a PC clock pulse to microcontroller clock pulse of 20MHz.
October 15, 2011 - by Working with Machine Languages
Our current progress on robotics control from GCS (Ground Control Station) is to figure out the codes to write to be able to control our servos. These servos which will be placed in the robot will be controlled wirelessly, potentially 300,000 km away from our GCS. However currently we are working on developing a capability of 40km with our long range wireless drone. The challenges are developing API's (Application Program Interface) from one language to another set of language to allow our hardware and software to comunicate despite their different platforms.
October 10, 2011 - by Space Technology with a touch of Arts.
As we all race for space and to the moon, the element of arts into technology is a crucial element for us to think out of the box. Where creativity is key to Innovation. That is what makes us human. It is not about knowing more or knowing everything. Its about knowing the right knowledge to use in the most creative manner. Its like ochestring a musical symphony. Technology it self is a system of of many technologies being put together, its a matter of how we make them work together as a beautiful system.
October 1, 2011 - by Certification for Space Launchers and Vehicles
Certification for private space vehicles still remains in the grey area. The closest example for such approval is within the private spaceplanes industry. To date there are no certification are given to any space planes yet, however there are licenses given out under the approval of FAA (Federal Aviation Authority), which falls under FAR 91.319 as experimental aircraft category.
September 30, 2011 - by Human Spaceflight vs Unmanned Spaceflight
I have been intrigued with the high spirit shown for human spaceflight compared to an unmanned spaceflight. This could probably because of the thrill of being in space ourselves. It has also been almost everyones childhood dream to be an astronaut besides having to feel the sensation of microgravity. My biggest question is how do we get people interested with unmanned space missions as much as people do towards manned space missions. If we look at the celebration for manned lunar mission compared to robotic lunar mission back in the 60's and early 70's.
Pages
Exploration Prize Group Presented by 
