Vespula System Avionics Module
The Vespula System Avionics Module (SAM) is YJSP's custom propulsion electronics controller. Built around a six-layer PCB and a 48 V avionics bus, it connects the rocket's sensors and actuators to the flight-control and data-acquisition systems.
PROPULSION CONTROL AND SENSING
The SAM brings solenoid valve actuation, launch-lug ignition interfaces, and precision sensor acquisition into one hardware platform. It collects measurements from propulsion instrumentation while accepting commands from the flight computer over the vehicle Ethernet bus.
ENGINEERED FOR INTEGRATION
The board combines processor interfaces, analog measurement circuits, protected outputs, and rugged harness connections. Our team developed and validated the hardware through PCB revision, bench bring-up, and integration with the propulsion system.
TESTED WITH THE VEHICLE
The completed revision was powered and validated during avionics integration. Bench and system testing verified startup, sensor acquisition, and actuator-control behavior, helping prepare the electronics for demanding rocket operations.
STUDENT ENGINEERING
SAM demonstrates the work required to turn a complex mixed-signal PCB into an operating aerospace subsystem. YJSP members gain experience in electronics design, embedded interfaces, power distribution, hardware test, and vehicle integration.
Vespula Flight SAM during vehicle-level avionics integration.
Six-layer Flight SAM PCB modeled in Altium.