"ODBlix" rocket flight computer

Who are we?

We are the GAUL (Groupe Aérospatial de l’Université Laval), a Canadian student rocketry team dedicated to the design, manufacturing, and launch of high-power rockets. We regularly compete in both national and international aerospace competitions and focus on developing reliable and performant rockets!

During the summer of 2025, we launched Alterra, a two-stage rocket, to 30,000 ft at the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC). This flight earned us first place in the 30k two-stage category, demonstrating our ability to design and operate complex multi-stage vehicles. We were also the first student team in Québec to have a successful double staged flight.

For the upcoming season, we are preparing three major competitive projects:

• A two-stage rocket targeting 45,000 ft at IREC 2026
• A liquid-engine rocket for the FAROUT competition
• A high-performance two-stage rocket aiming for as high as we can!

These projects push the limits of student rocketry and require highly reliable onboard avionics.

The GAUL at IREC 2025

Our next-generation flight computer

To support these missions, we are developing a new, custom flight computer that will serve as the main avionics system for all three rockets. This board is designed to be reused across multiple vehicles and flight profiles, making it a central piece of our future launches.

The flight computer is based on an STM32 microcontroller and integrates all critical sensing, control, and communication functions required for high-altitude and multi-stage flight:

• GPS module for tracking and recovery
• High-G accelerometer for launch and staging detection
• Low-G IMU for precise flight dynamics and attitude estimation
• Barometric pressure sensor for altitude measurement
• Temperature sensor for environmental monitoring

For flight control and recovery, the board includes:

• Four independent pyrotechnic channels to command parachute deployment, stage separation, and other charges

For data handling and communications, it features:

• SD card for full-flight data logging
• USB interface for configuration and debugging
• Bluetooth for ground testing, diagnostics and arming
• External radio connection for real-time telemetry with our ground station

The hardware is implemented on a 6-layer PCB, allowing proper power distribution, signal integrity, and robustness in high-vibration and high-acceleration environments. This flight computer is designed to meet the reliability demands of advanced student rocketry and will be flown repeatedly throughout the season.

Sponsorship opportunity

What do we need?

To manufacture this flight computer, we require:

• 6-layer PCB fabrication with 10mm breakaway rails all around
• Framework stencil

What do we provide?

In exchange for PCBWay’s support, we will provide:

• PCBWay’s logo displayed on our official team website
• PCBWay’s logo displayed on our competition team T-shirts
• Visibility during international competitions and technical presentations

By supporting this project, PCBWay will directly contribute to advanced student aerospace engineering and the development of high-altitude, multi-stage rocketry systems.