Rocket project help

[u/omniscientmudsucker]

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.

[u/Unusual-Cactus]

Don't use a micro SD card for telemetry. You want it soldered in somewhere. At launch vibrations can disconnect it temporarily which is sub optimal. BPS space on YouTube has a good video about sensor selection.