Build a Real-Time Rocket Velocity Calculator with Arduino Uno + BMP280

Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.

Imagine launching a model rocket and, instead of just watching it climb, seeing its altitude, velocity, and peak height displayed live on a tiny screen. With this kit, you'll build a compact data recorder that samples altitude every 50 milliseconds using the BMP280 barometric sensor, then computes and displays velocity and maximum altitude on a crisp OLED display. It's a perfect introduction to rocketry electronics, real-time data processing, and sensor interfacing—all powered by the Arduino Uno.

What You'll Build

A self-contained velocity calculator that mounts inside or alongside a model rocket. The system continuously measures air pressure, converts it to altitude, calculates vertical velocity from altitude changes, tracks the maximum altitude reached, and shows all this on an OLED screen that updates ten times per second. When the rocket returns, you can review the peak altitude and velocity. The build includes wiring the BMP280 sensor and OLED to the Arduino Uno, uploading the provided code, and assembling the breadboard layout.

What You'll Learn

• Interfacing the BMP280 barometric pressure sensor over I2C and reading altitude data
• Implementing real-time velocity calculation using altitude delta and known sampling interval
• Driving a 0.96-inch OLED display to show dynamic numeric and text data
• Structuring Arduino code for high-speed sensor sampling and display updates

Kit Contents

Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately

Who This Kit Is For

This kit is ideal for school students exploring STEM projects (CBSE Class 6–10, ATL Tinkering Labs), young rocketry enthusiasts, and beginners in electronics who want to build something exciting. It's also a great hands-on project for B.Tech ECE/EEE students learning sensor integration or for participants in Smart India Hackathon prototyping telemetry systems. Because everything is plug-and-play and the code is well-documented, minimal prior experience is needed.

Built and Backed by Compoden

Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.