In 2024, the CGM GOK-HAN Rocket Team achieved remarkable success in the TEKNOFEST High-Altitude Rocket Competition.(Refer article:EBYTE Empower ÇGM GÖK-HAN Rocket Team to Successfully Advance to the Finals )As a member of the hardware team, Recep shared their participation experience, especially the story of using the E22–400T37S LoRa module from EBYTE. In this article, we will discuss how they overcame the harsh environmental challenges and how EBYTE’s module played a vital role in the success of their rocket launch.
Introduction to the TEKNOFEST Rocket Competition
Since 2018, TEKNOFEST has been held annually in Turkey, aiming to ignite students' passion for space technologies and promote advancements in rocket engineering. Organized by the T3 Foundation and ROKETSAN, the competition provides participants with a well-organized and supportive environment, offering free accommodation, transportation, and meals, along with state-of-the-art infrastructure. It’s one of the best rocket competitions out there.
Rocket Design and Challenges
In this competition, CGM GOK-HAN Rocket Team aimed to design a rocket capable of achieving the highest altitude while successfully completing a scientific mission. The rocket had to deploy a parachute for a safe landing and be recoverable after launch. This made the design of the flight computer and communication system essential.
The competition environment was extremely challenging, with a desert-like climate where sandstorms, extreme temperature variations, and strong winds were constant concerns. To ensure that the rocket would operate under such extreme conditions, the team decided to use EBYTE’s E22–400T37S LoRa module as the communication system for the flight computer.
Why Choose EBYTE LoRa Modules
When selecting the communication module, CGM GOK-HAN Rocket Team faced several technical hurdles. The sandstorms and temperature fluctuations could potentially affect the stability of the communication system. Furthermore, the rocket needed to communicate over long distances to track its location during flight. EBYTE’s E22–400T37S module, with its 37 dBm transmission power, wide voltage range, and operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C, was perfect for this extreme environment.
After comparing other products, the team selected the E22–400T37S module, and for the ground station, they chose the E22–400T30D module. This decision proved to be the right one, as long-range communication tests confirmed that the module could achieve a stable connection over 6.43 kilometers. These results validated the team's confidence in the EBYTE module, especially considering that the rocket was expected to reach an altitude of 5.6 kilometers.
Exciting Moments During Launch
On launch day, the team encountered some challenges, including a malfunction of the required commercial flight computer. As a result, they had no choice but to rely on their custom-designed flight computer and software. Despite the anxiety, the rocket was successfully launched, and the team’s hard work paid off when the rocket deployed its drogue parachute at its apogee.
The communication between the rocket and the ground station continued flawlessly, thanks to the E22–400T37S module. Despite strong winds and technical issues with the parachutes, the module allowed the team to maintain communication with the rocket even as it drifted far out of sight. When the rocket was finally recovered, it was a moment of pure joy, knowing that the module had played a crucial role in preventing the rocket from being lost.
EBYTE’s Contribution and the Future
The CGM GOK-HAN Rocket Team extends their heartfelt gratitude to EBYTE for the support of their E22–400T37S LoRa modules. Thanks to the durability and reliability of the EBYTE modules, the team was able to maintain communication with the rocket under challenging conditions and over long distances. The performance of the module was a key factor in the team's success at the competition, ensuring that the rocket was not lost during the flight.
Looking ahead, CGM GOK-HAN Rocket Team is excited about future collaborations with EBYTE and the continued development of innovative products. The success of this competition has reinforced the importance of reliable communication technology in challenging environments, and EBYTE’s solutions continue to be a trusted partner for high-performance projects.
Through the collaboration with EBYTE, CGM GOK-HAN Rocket Team was able to successfully complete the challenges of the 2024 TEKNOFEST High-Altitude Rocket Competition. The performance of the E22–400T37S LoRa module was exceptional, providing a reliable communication solution in harsh conditions and complex applications like rocketry.