February: Deepening the Drone Design and Beginning the Calculations

February was a month of deeper technical exploration and solidifying key decisions for our drone project. After outlining the initial design concept in January, we moved forward with a more analytical and structured approach this month. The mechanical team conducted a comprehensive literature review to better understand the structural designs, material types, and engineering strategies used in previous competitions. This research provided valuable insights and formed a strong reference point for our upcoming structural and load-bearing calculations.

On the avionics side, we finalized the components to be used in our system. Through detailed comparisons, we selected the flight controller, motors, ESCs, GPS module, and sensors that best fit our needs. These decisions were critical, as they directly impact system compatibility, performance, and software integration.

At the same time, we began working with CAD tools to shape the drone’s 3D model. Taking into account the specifications and constraints of the materials we already had, we defined the placement of arms, motors, and the battery. The digital design allowed us to analyze the drone’s aerodynamic profile and structural balance before starting the actual fabrication.

In parallel, we performed initial thrust calculations based on our selected motors and propellers. These calculations gave us a preliminary estimate of the drone’s flight time depending on total weight and battery capacity. Evaluating whether our available power systems could meet the expected mission duration was a critical step at this stage.

By the end of February, we had laid a solid technical foundation for our drone. This groundwork will support the prototyping and testing phases we plan to begin in the coming months.