Radio Controlled Starship Program

Recently got back out to the field with my repaired Starship from the last video. I wanted to get a better 'feel' for the aircraft while in freefall so I could make more informed design changes for the next iteration. Unfortunately, the last flight ended in another crash (my fault), this time much more spectacular.

Found some free time today to get the video put together, so here it is now instead of tomorrow:

After some flying, I decided it was time to change out the Mk1-ish aero surfaces to something closer to SN8 and finally give it some paint. Flight video tomorrow!

Hover testing is coming along nicely; in my free time I turned the back of my cutting board into a landing pad for the big flight (with skydive maneuver).

I had to add foam around the body to give the 3mm carbon body spars some more torsional stiffness (tail was wagging due to differential throttle for yaw control). Video soon!

Just finished up the hardware build on the Starship prototype. I had the CAD model pulled up to help cross-reference as the parts came together. Most everything went together nicely, I just need to make some minor changes to some of the printed parts for better tolerances/additional features. I still haven't figured out a plan for landing gear--it will most likely be passive, but for now I think I'll just grab it out of the air. Stay tuned for a build video and parts files!

Now on to hover testing, then the maneuver never attempted before: the skydive.

Avionics bulkhead:

All the parts are off the printer and cleaned up. Just waiting on some carbon rods to arrive in the mail to complete the structure's assembly.

CAD design is finished--printing test parts now to verify tolerances, and parts are on order for the complete build.