T-Zero Systems' Teensy-Equipped Model Falcon 9 Boasts Genuine Thrust Vector Control Stabilization

Pseudonymous literal rocket scientist "T-Zero Systems" has put together a miniature version of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket — powered by a Teensy 3.6 microcontroller and boasting thrust vector control.

"It runs using a Teensy 3.6 with IMU [Inertial Measurement Unit] and barometer for data collection," T-Zero explains of the impressively functional model rocket, "and a two-axis TVC (Thrust Vector Control) system. [It's] 1m [around 3.3'] tall. It's light and small enough to be free of any regulation."

TVC is a key feature of the real SpaceX Falcon 9, a system for angling the thrust output of the motors in order to stabilize or steer the rocket in a particular direction — and to allow the Falcon 9 to carry out its always-captivating upright landings, once its payload has been delivered, gently touching down ready to be reused.

Creating a rocket with an active control system, however, does raise a few eyebrows — particularly in the context of ITAR, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which prohibit sharing of active guidance systems suitable for use in missiles.

"I am ITAR," T-Zero jokes. "Like, literally, I am an aerospace engineer and work on actual spacecraft. Active stability and active guidance are very different things. You only get a call if you make a rocket capable of flying beyond line of sight to a specified target."

Sadly for those hoping to try following in T-Zero's footsteps, the code running on the Teensy isn't going to be made public. "That I don't do. Consensus is that within the USA its actually fine to share software but just posting code somewhere doesn't afford that control," the maker explains.

"On top of that, it takes a ton of effort to make the software work and giving it away is kind of undercutting that effort and time."

More information is available on the T-Zero Systems YouTube channel.