MARS NOVA - A drone parachute radio deployment system

An essential question when buying a drone parachute is "How to command the parachute deployment?". The reputable drone parachute maker MARS Parachute has developed a new product to solve the problem.

This new radio system uses a single channel on the 2.4GHz frequency and as a range of 3550 feet (1.07 kilometer). Battery life should not be a problem as it can last 48 (active) hours. That should last a few flights. The battery can be charged through USB.

As usual with MARS parachutes, everything is designed and made in California with a particular attention to details and with all the expertise of Glen Rineer and Kevin Kropp in this field.

Its small weight and low height (3.5" or 9cm) make it easy to carry during the flight : attached to the drone controller, clipped to a belt or worn around the neck for example.

Before flight, the transmitter can be turned on with a long press and during the flight, a double click will deploy the parachute. This double click feature prevents any accidental deployment of the parachute.

The NOVA will be able to trigger all existing MARS parachute products as they use a servo for deployment.
Altough it is built primarily for parachutes, this system can actuate other servo based systems such as a camera trigger, a kill switch with an RC switch relay or pretty much anything you can think of.

More than a prototype, the MARS NOVA is at the advanced testing phase. The kickstarter campaign can help the development, the funds will be used to order PCBs (circuit boards) and injection mold for the cases. Once the Kickstarter ends, the NOVA drone parachute radio will be ready to enter in the mass porduction stage and should be ready to be shipped by mid December.

Here are the specifications of the MARS NOVA:

• Plastic Case: lightweight polymer, made in the U.S.
• Transmitter weight: 1.8oz (51.03g) 
• Transmitter size: 3.5" x 2.375" x .5" (8.89cm x 8.57cm x 1.27cm) 
• Transmitter power: Integrated Li-Po battery
• Receiver weight: .23oz (6.5g)
• Receiver dimensions: 1.75" x 1" x .5" (1.44cm x 2.54cm x 1.27cm)
• Receiver power: 4.5v - 6v

If you'd like to learn more about the project, head to the Kickstarter page, their website, their Facebook page or Twitter.