UBC Rocket

May 2025 - Aug 2025

I had four awesome months at UBC Rocket, where I participated in two projects and a test launch in Oregon. I was responsible for soldering components at first and gradually took on some harder tasks such as PCB design, and firmware programming.

Over the following weeks, I used Altium to create my own boards, including one made for UBC SAM M10Q GNSS Module. I programmed and tested it using a STM32 Nucleo board via UART and it was successfully flown with the rocket at the 2025 Launch Canada competition.

Soldering

Soldered Radio, BMS, Buck Converter, GNSS Module and Vector Thrust boards.

A little technique for soldering a 0402 component is to first apply a thin layer of solder to the pads using a soldering iron, then, place the 0402 on the pad and use a heat gun to melt the solder underneath, allowing the component to attach. No hot plate needed.

PCB Design

SAM-M10Q GNSS module

This design follows the guidelines suggested in the manual, including the use of stitching vias and size of 5cm by 5cm.

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