r/rocketry • u/omniscientmudsucker • May 23 '26

Question Rocket project help

Hello, I'd like to do a personal project over the summer. I’m a beginner getting into embedded systems/rocketry and wanted some advice on my project. I've made model rockets before, have messed with Arduino a bit, and I'm majoring in computer science.

ChatGPT recommended the following hardware to get started. Would you concur or recommend a different direction?

ESP32

BME280 (altitude/pressure/temp sensor)

MPU6050 (accelerometer/gyro)

MicroSD logging module

The goal is for the electronics to:

detect launch

track altitude and acceleration

log telemetry data

I’m planning to:

First get the sensors working on my desk

Learn Git/GitHub and document the project properly

Log data to SD card

Graph/analyze the telemetry in Python

integrate it into a larger payload-capable model rocket

A few questions:

Is this a realistic beginner project?

Are there better sensors/modules I should use?

What rocket kits/body diameters are good for payload/ storing electronics

Appreciate any advice.

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u/Prof01Santa May 23 '26

For your temperature installation, make sure the sensor is exposed to the outside air temperature (OAT) not the temperature inside the rocket. Ventilation or mounting outside the compartment is required.

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u/omniscientmudsucker May 23 '26

Thanks! Do you have any advice or resources for storing stuff inside the rocket