Aerospace enthusiasts can now launch a smart rocket in their own home.
PLUME is a smart, multifunctional rocket launch vehicle and speaker system that has been created to mimic a rocket launch in both appearance and entertainment.
In order to get the full experience of a rocket blast-off, PLUME features CNC, 3D printing modeling, sound performance stimulation, and vivid built-in spotlights.
A total of three rockets are available, all of which resemble a specific space explorer. The rockets include the Saturn V, Space Shuttle, and Falcon 9. To ensure every detail was correct, the designers collaborated with rocket scientists to ensure the appearance and launch escape systems were accurate.
In order to truly feel like users are on a rocket mission, the PLUME’s all-system voice records are from a re-mastering of the actual Apollo missions. When the rocket is plugged in, users will hear, “All engine running,” and when it’s turned on with a double tap, it will say, “Lift off.” When connected with the smartphone, users hear, “Roger that Houston,” and when disconnected, “Okay Houston, we’ve had a problem here.”
The connecting ‘Space Go’ app provides a number of features. By utilizing Augmented Reality (AR), users can assemble the three rockets with the app and understand details of the rocket by simply pointing their smartphone at the rocket. In order to ensure the rockets are ready for lift-off, operators first have to fill up the propellant tank, set up the orbit, and check the engines.
Additionally, the ‘Space Go’ app updates users on any upcoming real-life launches and events.
The base for PLUME contains four auxiliary spotlights that showcase the flame of the rocket and offers endless lighting colors. These lights also pair with the sound feature to provide a new type of alarm for individuals to wake up to. You can wake up to the replica of lightning on Jupiter, a song from Voyager 1, Saturn’s radio emission and more. Additionally, PLUME can stimulate the light of the Sun prior to an alarm going off.
PLUME also contains a Bluetooth speaker, and the lights can “dance to the music” with a feature that automatically adapts and adjusts the lights to pair with the music.
The inspiration behind this design came when the creator made a model of Saturn V for his significant other. Since then, numerous people have been intrigued with the model rocket, so he created a Falcon 9 rocket lamp, which eventually became the prototype for PLUME. From here, he added the AR function and realized this could pave the path for STEM students and spaceflight connoisseurs.
In order to create precise replicas of the rockets, the team of designers adopted the design of CNC and resin for refined details, such as texture and grip. It took a total of 10 samples for the team to agree on a design. In order to preserve their design during mass production, they used an enclosed flame design made of fiber material, instead of the open external design used in the original prototype. This provides safety and stability of the lamp fiber and prevents kids from swallowing the fiber.
Overall, their meticulous design offers aerospace hobbyist a chance to experience rocket launches and provides real-time information about ongoing space events.
