hist78
Well-known member
"Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) are short-range, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles designed to be operated by1-2 personnel against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. "
From the YouTube channel:
Improvised MANPADS Prototype – Launcher and Rocket Assembly
This project demonstrates a low-cost experimental rocket launcher and guided rocket built using 3D printing and consumer electronics. The system explores how accessible tools such as microcontrollers, sensors, and rapid prototyping can be used to design and test complex hardware systems.
The launcher and rocket use ESP32 microcontrollers along with sensors including an MPU6050 IMU, NEO-6M GPS, QMC5883L compass, and BMP180 barometric sensor. Flight stabilization is handled through a proportional-derivative control loop that adjusts canard control surfaces during flight.
The mechanical structure was designed in Fusion 360 and analyzed in OpenRocket to evaluate aerodynamic stability. Most structural components were produced using consumer-grade 3D printing and assembled with threaded inserts, machine screws, and custom springs.
Total build cost: approximately $96.
$6 Esp32 (2)
$17 MG996r Servos (4)
$3 SG90 Servos (2)
$4 Switches (4)
$15 ABS pipe (1)
$20 Urgenex 1100mAh Battery (2)
$1 BMP180 (1)
$1 MPU6050 (1)
$5 NEO-6M (1)
$2 QMC5883l (1)
$1 Active Buzzer(1)
$17 PLA Plastic (1.5 kg)
$2 PVC Pipe (9 in)
$2 Rocket Propellant (170g)
Wires / Capacitors / etc Negligible
Future development explores integration with distributed camera-node tracking networks capable of generating real-time XYZ coordinates of airborne objects.
GitHub – Launcher and Rocket System
GitHub – Distributed Camera Node Tracking System