Launch Pads
It's worth noting that the different pads don't actually have names, they just go through lots of iterations. They're numbered here so it's clear where the major upgrades were made.
launch pad 1.0
The four tower clamps from Pad 1.2 started to become a problem with vehicle design changes. Each clamp met with the rocket at a different point in the airframe, so onboard cameras, access panels, etc had to be very carefully placed on the vehicle. To fix this, Pad 1.3 moved the clamps back up top, also changing from solid PLA to a truss style. Pad 1.3 features a pad-rocket connection arm that disconnects about 1 second before launch. This helped start the rocket's PID control loop and data-logging just before liftoff. A tethered remote with arming and launch switches was integrated for safer operation, allowing for launch aborts without approaching the vehicle.
Status: Scrapped for parts
In service: September 2016 - February 2017
Software: THROW_0.9 - THROW_1.2
MCU: Atmel ATmega328P
Computer Power: Canon LP-E6
Ignitor Power: 11.1v battery
launch pad 1.1
Pad 1.2 featured a new articulating launch tower, which made ignitor prep much easier while the vehicle was on the pad. Additionally, the tower clamps were beefed up, switching out the 9 gram servos for larger high-torque servos. The bent-metal tower clamps were replaced by PLA printed clamps that better hugged the rocket's airframe. Ignition power was upgraded as well, moving from a 9v battery to an 11.1v battery.
Status: Scrapped for parts
In service: March 2016 - September 2016
Software: THROW_0.7 - THROW_0.9
MCU: Atmel ATmega328P
Computer Power: Canon LP-E6
Ignitor Power: 11.1v battery
LAUNCH PAD 1.2
Pad 1.2 featured a new articulating launch tower, which made ignitor prep much easier while the vehicle was on the pad. Additionally, the tower clamps were beefed up, switching out the 9 gram servos for larger high-torque servos. The bent-metal tower clamps were replaced by PLA printed clamps that better hugged the rocket's airframe. Ignition power was upgraded as well, moving from a 9v battery to an 11.1v battery.
Status: Scrapped for parts
In service: March 2016 - September 2016
Software: THROW_0.7 - THROW_0.9
MCU: Atmel ATmega328P
Computer Power: Canon LP-E6
Ignitor Power: 11.1v battery
LAUNCH PAD 1.3
The four tower clamps from Pad 1.2 started to become a problem with vehicle design changes. Each clamp met with the rocket at a different point in the airframe, so onboard cameras, access panels, etc had to be very carefully placed on the vehicle. To fix this, Pad 1.3 moved the clamps back up top, also changing from solid PLA to a truss style. Pad 1.3 features a pad-rocket connection arm that disconnects about 1 second before launch. This helped start the rocket's PID control loop and data-logging just before liftoff. A tethered remote with arming and launch switches was integrated for safer operation, allowing for launch aborts without approaching the vehicle.
Status: Scrapped for parts
In service: September 2016 - February 2017
Software: THROW_0.9 - THROW_1.2
MCU: Atmel ATmega328P
Computer Power: Canon LP-E6
Ignitor Power: 11.1v battery
LAUNCH PAD 1.4
Although Launch Pad 1.4 used the same base and structure as 1.3, the conversion featured a myriad of upgrades. State indication LEDs, wireless countdown and control, dual port flame trench, etc. The two videos here show a bit of how the pad is set up. Frankly, several of these improvements were overkill. Pad-to-rocket I2C communication for sensor readouts doesn't make much sense at this scale, and wireless comm range was hindered by the radio being mounted too close to the ground. That said, it lasted quite a while, supporting over 10 launches on this revision alone.
Status: Retired
In service: February 2017 - November 2017
Software: THROW_1.2 - THROW_1.4
MCU: Freescale/NXP MK20dx256
Computer Power: 7.4v LiPo
Remote Power: Standard 9v
Wireless comm: Xbee Pro 60mW
LAUNCH PAD 2.0
As Launch Pad 1.4 began to become unreliable with wear and tear, the Falcon Heavy model was also being designed. Given that Pad 1.4 could never support a three-core vehicle, Pad 2.0 was designed from the ground up to support both single and three-core builds. With 8 total launch clamps, and an easily modifiable iron flame trench, Pad 2.0 is the most flexible platform yet. The Impulse launch computer has plenty of inputs and outputs to support add-ons like load cells, wireless comms, and any other peripheral that communicates through I2C or SPI.
Status: Active
In service: February 2018 - Present
Software: ImpulseSoft 0.0.1+
MCU: Atmel ATSAMD21
Computer Power: 7.4v LiPo
Ignitor Power: 11.1v LiPo