2013-10-11T00:00:00 Model Rocketry has been around since humans discovered black powder. The Chinese were the first to create an actual “rocket”. This happened back in the 13th century when they converted fireworks into weapons of warfare. Today however model rocketry is considered a hobby. Pete Semig of Texas Instruments came to us with a story. This story involved Pete’s boss who is an active hobbyist in large scale model rocketry. Apparently his boss had spent month designing and crafting a large model rocket. When the launch day came and he shot off his rocket, the parachutes did not deploy. This turned the rocket into an actual missile which crashed and burned once it came back down to earth. Hence our problem was presented. Pete’s boss proposed that he have us engineers at MSU design an Electronic Parachute Deployment System using Texas Instruments products. Our objectives were then made clear. We were instructed to design an electronic parachute deployment system that would incorporate a TI-MSP430 microcontroller that utilized an Altimeter and Accelerometer to deploy the rockets parachutes without failure. These would also be used to record real time data to serve as a second purpose. Our design would incorporate our circuit into a large scale model rocket. The rocket is designed to have a two stage parachute deployment system. Our circuit, which will be placed in the middle of the rocket shaft between both parachutes, with be programmed to speak to the altimeter and accelerometer. The accelerometer will be used to deploy the first parachute. One it reads zero g-forces after the rocket reaches apogee, the circuit will send a current to a charge that will deploy the first parachute. The altimeter will be used to launch the main parachute and will send a current to a second charge once on decent it reads a set altitude. We have to deal with pressure and temperature factors to keep our circuitry functioning correctly. To do this we will be placing out components in heat resistant foam padding. This will ensure durability. We consider a successful project outcome to be a successful deployment of both parachutes at the correct points of flight to ensure the rockets safety. Also the circuit must be reliable for at least 20 launches.