By2 Adapter & Bundles

We developed the By2 Adapter in May of 2023 and shipped the first model, bundled with a second controller and SPORT Launch Rack, to Steve Neill of the Ventura Rocketeers in California. Steve was a our third customer. The Ventura Rocketeers were growing quickly and really needed to double their launch capacity. We were contacted by a supporter who wanted to purchase a second fiver/SPORT Bundle for the Ventura Rocketeers. I offered an alternative that would cost less than half the cost of a full controller system. They discussed this with Steve and agreed to be a tester for this new product.

Our Controller (systems) consist of a Controller (the unit at the launch pads with the power pack) and the Console (the remote unit from whence the Launch Control Officer conducts rocket launches). The By2 Adapter connects two Controllers by an A/B switch so that each Controller may be operated by a single Console. The Console is the most expensive component in our Launch Controllers. It hosts the most switches and most expensive switches in the system.

Prototype By2 Adaptor

Each Controller must have it's own Power Pack. The Adapter switches Power, Continuity, and Arm lines between two controllers. Our objective is to allow our customers to add a second controller and double or add capacity to their Impulse Launch System. This could take the form of a second fiver or HPR controller. So one might add a second fiver and SPORT like the Ventura Rocketeers did, or they might add a second fiver-C and pads at 100 ft for an MPR launch position. Or an HPR-V at 300 ft for an HPR launch position.

We plan to offer additional Adapters for three or more Controllers just as soon as my tiny little head can sort out the design. This will be a little tricky, as we must prevent the selection of more than one controller at the same time. The obvious solution would be a rotary switch, but I dislike these as a control. I might have to get over that.