Rodrigues, GeraldoArribas, BeltranMelício, RuiGordo, PauloValério, DuarteCasaleiro, J.Silva, André2025-01-062025-01-062024-11-04Rodrigues, G.; Arribas, B.; Melicio, R.; Gordo, P.; Valério, D.; Casaleiro, J.; Silva, A. Housekeeping System for Suborbital Vehicles: VIRIATO Mock-Up Vehicle Integration and Testing. J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 2024, 13, 74. https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan130600742224-2708http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/14961The work presented in this paper regards the improvement of a housekeeping system for data acquisition of a suborbital vehicle (VIRIATO rocket or launcher). The specifications regarding the vehicle are presented and hardware is chosen accordingly, considering commercial off-the-shelf components. Mechanical and thermal simulations are performed regarding the designed system and a physical prototype is manufactured, assembled and programmed. Functional and field test results resorting to unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as the system’s integration within VIRIATO project’s mock-up vehicle, are presented. These tests demonstrate the viability of this system as an independent data acquisition system, and simulation results show that commercial off-the-shelf components have the capability of surviving expected launch environments.engSpace launcherAvionicsHousekeeping systemTestingSensorsCAN busCommunicationMicroprocessorjournal article10.3390/jsan13060074