Kit CANSAT V2 with Raspberry-Pi Pico (MicroPython)

A MicroPython CanSat V2 kit - Raspberry-Pi Pico and Python programming

If you are not yet familiar with the CanSat competition (reserved for educational establishments), you can find more information on the official Cansat website on www.esa.int .

At MCHobby, we've been fans of MicroPython since its first release.
MicroPython is Python on a microcontroller (not to be confused with CircuitPython, a commercial derivative of MicroPython).
MicroPython is an open-source project that runs on many platforms, including the super-powerful Raspberry Pi Pico. The Pico is an RP2040 microcontroller, which have a dual core beated at 133 Mhz.

This second generation of the Cansat kit was designed by a passionate Open Source enthusiast, electronics lover, MicroPython/Python addicted user. The documentation is also something we'd like to do.

Kit Features:

• A complete documentation: freely available on the MCHobby's wiki!
  The step-by-step user guide allows you to get the best of this kit and provide the required information to complete the first mission.
• Pre-assembled kit: the SMD components are pre-assembled and tested.
• Variable configuration: Arrange the elements of your Cansat to optimize the space required by the project.
• Qwiic/StemmaQT connector : Fast, solderless I2C sensor/breakout connection supported by Adafruit Industries and SparkFun.
• Grove connector : multiple Grove connectors (Digital, Analog, UART, I2C) to connect SeeedStudio, M5Stack hardware.
• Lipo battery management circuit: a completely autonomous charging solution with 3V3 @ 600mA voltage output.
• Sensors : includes the necessary sensors to accomplishment of mission 1 (pressure/temperature).
• Pre-assembled radio transmitter: allowing the transmission and reception of data between the Cansat and the Base-Station (included within the kit).
• Set of CanSat V2 PCB: the CANSAT-BASE + Pico MCU based boards, a prototyping board (namely CANSAT-LETTUCE), a parachute attachment board (namely CANSAT-BUN).
  See the documentation for the different cards for more details.

The design of the kit allows for the insertion of intermediate levels of consolidation cards (CANSAT-ONION) or protoyping board (CANSAT-LETTUCE) for more demanding projets.

The Cansat V2 contribution:

• Reduced 60.1mm diameter (vs 63.4mm) leaving more space around the board for consolidation with 3D prints.
• A 6.4mm central hole crossing all the boards, great to insert a 6mm central axis or M6 screw to create a structural element reinforcing the CanSat.
• A more practical connectivity more robust and more adequate for manipulations.
• An replacable and upgradable microcontroler.
• The Lipo charging circuit and voltage regulator as well as the radio module merged on the base.

Please feel free to consult the hardware description page for more information.

Content

• 2x Official Raspberry-Pi Pico
  
  • RP2040 processor - dual core @ 133 Mhz
  • 2 Mio of Flash storage
  • 264 Kio of RAM
  • file system stored into Flash
• 1x USB A/MicroB cable, 1m
• 1x half-size breadboard
• 1x breadboard wire (Assortment + Extra)
• 1x Grove to Male wire for fast prototyping.
• 1x CanSat V2 base board
• 1x MCU board for Pico (one of the two Pico must be soldered onto it)
• 1x CanSat V2 prototyping board
• 1x parachute attachment card
• 1x Lipo battery - 3.7v 1300mAh
• 1x JST-SH wire for quick connexion - 100mm - Qwiic / StemmaQ compatible
• 1x BMP280 barometric pressure, temperature, altitude - 3.3 & 5V
• 1x TMP36 - analog temperature sensor
• 1x RFM69HCW adapter for Pico
• 2x 433 Mhz antenna kits (for quick tests)
• 1x various components:
  
  • 1 x 220 Ohms resistor
  • 1 x 10 Kohms resistor
  • 2 x red LED
  • 1 x green LED
  • 3 x 1 KOhms resistor

The spacers between the two boards are NOT INCLUDED. You can make/print your own spacers at the desired height and adapted them to the needs of your project.

Long distance transmission

The antennas included in the kit ensure optimal transmission over relatively short distances. They will be ideal for your laboratory or garden tests.
As part of a Cansat launch, particular attention must be paid to the construction of the antennas (CanSat and Base Station) to bring the transmission distance between 1 to 2 km and even reach 4 Km with proper antennas.
See the antenna section of the MC Hobby CanSat Wiki.