ArduRocket?

I am into the hobby of high power model rocketry, building and launching high power rockets is a lot of fun, the endless searches through the corn fields and long recovery walks not so much.  My father, my in to the hobby, has challenged me to build a steerable, preferably GPS guided, parachute system to bring the rocket back to the launch area.  After doing a bunch of research I determined the most the APM 2.6 system is the most appropriate and capable system for this project.  This system also opens up the possibility to expand this project to include other flight features like deployment and staging outputs, active stabilization, tracking telemetry/tracking.  To this end I have purchased a MiniReadytoFlyer 2.6 V3.1 with a Mini uBlox M8N GPS GLONASS W/ (35x35mm) Mounting backplane and Compass and a 3DR Radio Telemetry Kit 915Mhz.  Next I'm going to begin reading through the APM firmware code to decide the best way to proceed.  The first step will be to decide which firmware branch to start with.

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  • Very cool project! I'm curious what you imagine for steering the parachute.
    Maybe folding wings would be easier?
    • I plan to use a Rogallo wing kite.  I am in discussions with an expert who builds kites for wind sports, and RC paragliders.  I would have an avionics bay with servos to pull the control, AoA, and reefing lines.  I also plan to have canards attached to servos to stabilize the rocket to maintain vertical flight on the way up. This will add some complexity as the unit will have to have two flight modes, one for ascent and one for recovery.

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