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Firmware Update

This is the firmware setup path. Use it before configuration, bench testing, or flight work.

For firmware development and uploads, install:

  • Visual Studio Code
  • PlatformIO IDE
  • Git

On Windows, make sure Git is available on PATH.

A common install location is:

C:\Program Files\Git\cmd

Open the AstroNav Nano project in Visual Studio Code.

You can build it with the PlatformIO Build action or from a terminal:

Terminal window
pio run

A successful build means the firmware compiled.

It does not mean the hardware or vehicle is safe to fly.

Only upload to the intended AstroNav Nano and the correct serial port.

Example:

Terminal window
pio run --target upload --upload-port COM3

Replace COM3 with the port assigned to your board.

Before connecting the board:

  1. Disconnect pyro hardware.
  2. Disconnect hazardous loads.
  3. Disconnect launch hardware.

Then connect AstroNav Nano to your computer with USB.

Wait for startup to finish, then open the AstroNav Nano drive and read:

  • Howto.txt
  • Settings.ini

AstroNav Nano enters USB mass-storage mode when it detects USB power.

The normal USB input range is approximately:

4.5 V - 5.5 V

If the board sees a voltage outside the supported range, it may report Unknown and show warnings or faults. That does not automatically mean the board is damaged, but it does mean you should investigate before continuing.

Once the board is connected and readable:

  1. Read Safety
  2. Continue with Getting Started
  3. Review Configuration
  4. Complete Pre-flight
  5. Use Flight States to understand the system during a mission

This page is only for firmware update and setup. The vehicle workflow starts in Getting Started.