Astro Public
  • Pilot's Operating Handbook
    • Getting Started
    • System Overview
    • Flight Part 1 - Flight Modes
    • Flight Part 2 - Operation
    • Flight Part 3 - Emergency / Advanced
    • Essential Software
      • Auterion Mission Control
        • AMC - Fly
        • AMC - Plan
          • Transfer Mission Plan and KML Files with Herelink
          • Terrain Follow
          • Offline Maps
        • AMC - Vehicle Setup
          • Advanced Vehicle Setup
          • Parameters
        • AMC - Photos
        • AMC - User Account
        • AMC - Settings
          • Advanced Mode
      • Auterion Suite / Flight Logs
      • Network and Connectivity
    • Pro Tips and Limitations
      • Travel and Shipping
  • Maintenance
    • FAQ & Troubleshooting
    • Software Updates
      • Updating Firmware
      • Astro Software v2.0 - What's New
      • Astro Software v1.7 - What’s New
      • Astro Software v1.4 - What’s New
      • Astro Software v1.2 - What’s New
    • Standard Maintenance Procedures
      • Getting Technical Support
      • Periodic Maintenance
      • Replacing Components
        • Replacing Propellers
        • Installing a SIM Card
      • Calibration and Tuning
      • Controller / Radio Binding
  • Other User Manuals
    • FREEFLY PAYLOADS
      • LR1 Payload
        • Payload Overview and Setup
        • Expansion Modules
          • LR1 Thermal Module
          • LR1 Distance Sensor
        • Mapping/Inspection/Video Workflow
        • LR1 Lenses and Expansion
          • Changing Lenses
            • Advanced Gimbal Tuning
          • Expansion Ports
        • What changed between A7R4 and LR1 Payload?
        • Technical Specs
        • LR1 Sample Mapping Data
      • A7R4 Payload
        • Packing, Handling, and Setup
        • Camera Controls
        • Mapping/Inspection/Video Workflow
        • Resetting Camera Settings
        • Calibration and Tuning
        • Technical Specs and Lenses
      • Ventus OGI Payload
        • Operating Handbook
          • Setting up Astro with OGI
          • Pre-flight Planning
          • Settings
          • Configure Gas Enhancement Mode
          • Advanced Operation
          • Downloading/Formatting Media
        • Protips, Limitations, and Troubleshooting
        • Technical Specs
      • Wiris Pro Payload
        • Operating Handbook
          • Setting up Astro with Wiris Pro
          • Pre-flight Planning
          • Advanced Operation
          • Inspection Workflow
          • Downloading Media/Example Output
          • Formatting Media
        • Protips, Limitations, and Troubleshooting
        • Technical Specs
        • Camera Software
        • Glossary
        • Integration for 3rd Party Applications
          • Mechanical Interface
          • Electrical Interface
          • Operational Limitations
      • Workflows/Maintenance/Updates
        • Installing/Removing Payloads
        • Mapping Workflow and Output
          • Pre-flight Planning
          • Mapping Efficiency Tips
          • Mapping Flight and Post Processing
          • PPK Software
          • Output Specification
          • Sample Mapping Data
        • Inspection Workflow
        • Gimbal Firmware
        • Gimbal Logs
        • USB Formatting
        • Isolation System
        • Precise/Smooth Gimbal Control
      • FPV Camera
    • 3RD PARTY PAYLOADS
      • Hovermap ST-X Lidar
        • Hovermap Setup on Astro
        • Mapping with Hovermap
        • Assisted/Autonomous Flight
      • Gremsy Pixy PE
      • Gremsy Vio
      • Sentera 6X/65R
    • ECOSYSTEM
      • Components
        • Batteries
        • Pilot Pro Controller
        • Herelink Handset (Legacy)
          • Herelink Controller Maintenance
            • Updating Herelink Software
            • Switching to Freefly Updater
            • Removing/Reinstalling the Herelink Cover
        • Vibration Isolators
        • GNSS Base Stations
      • Development Tools
        • MavSDK
        • Software Interfaces
        • Payload Mounting Interfaces
        • Electrical Interfaces
        • Onboard Computer
      • DIU Blue sUAS
      • FAA Remote Identification (RID)
      • Esri ArcGIS Flight (Site Scan)
        • 1 - Setup and Connecting to Astro
        • 2 - Preflight and Mission Planning
        • 3 - Flying a Mission with Astro
        • 4 - Post-Flight and Image Processing
        • Global Settings
      • DroneDeploy
    • SPECS AND INTERFACES
      • Technical Specs
      • Performance
      • Drawings and CAD
      • Compliance
    • Legal
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On this page
  • 1. Unboxing and powering on your Astro
  • 2. Connecting your Astro to the Internet (Optional)
  • 3. Registering your Astro in the Auterion Suite (Optional)
  • 4. Getting Hardware charged and ready
  • 5. Go Flying
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  1. Pilot's Operating Handbook

Getting Started

How to get set up for a successful and safe first flight!

NextSystem Overview

Last updated 7 months ago

1. Unboxing and powering on your Astro

  1. Open up the Astro case and you will see the Astro, a quick start guide, and the controller.

  2. Remove the controller from the case, peel off the sticker from the controller screen, and press the power button. Once powered on, select the AMC app to open the mission application.

  3. Pull the Astro out of the case- the landing gear is already extended!

    1. If you bought an Astro Map, the Mapping Payload will be connected to the Dovetail on the bottom of Astro.

  4. Remove the card insert from the top of your Astro- you likely scanned the QR code or followed the URL to get to this page.

  5. Insert 1 SL8 battery into the Astro until you hear two clicks- this means that the battery is electrically connected to the Astro.

  6. Press the button on the battery twice and the Astro will turn on.

Note: Power Astro with only 1 battery if you need the drone powered but are not flying. The Astro has a safety mechanism where it will prevent arming with only 1 battery, making it much safer to have powered on while the propellers are installed.

The payload is not hot swappable. Ensure that the Astro is powered off when connecting or removing payloads

2. Connecting your Astro to the Internet (Optional)

Connecting the Astro to the internet allows you to connect to the Auterion Suite. The Auterion Suite enables functionality such as automatic log upload (including real time uploads), vehicle and asset management, video streaming over the internet, and more. More information about Auterion Suite can be found

  • Some Astros ship with a trial T-Mobile LTE SIM card enabled that will allow the Astro to connect to the Internet right out of the box!

  • configuration does not come with WiFi enabled by default

To connect your Astro to the WiFi:

  1. Open AMC on your Pilot Pro, Herelink Controller, or PC. If using a PC, connect to Astro with a USB-C cable.

  2. Tap the icon in the top-left of AMC. Navigate to Vehicle Overview > Connectivity

  1. Enable WiFi (do not enable hotspot mode), provide your network name and password, and click "Connect"

3. Registering your Astro in the Auterion Suite (Optional)

  1. To get started, ensure Astro is powered on.

  2. Connect a USB cable from your computer to the USB-C port on the I/O panel located on the underside of the Freefly Astro.

  • Refresh the web page if the Astro dashboard does not appear. (Note that NDAA/Blue variants of Astro need the admin to enable features)

  • Once you make your account, then you can claim the aircraft and it will show up in your Suite account.

  1. Once complete with the signup process, you should see the Astro unit listed under the "Vehicles" Section on the main dashboard of the Auterion Suite.

The USB C physical connection to the Astro for the initial registration is required for security reasons as the Suite enables location data, live streaming, etc. You can sign up for the Suite and register an Astro in the Suite with just the Serial Number, but you will not be able to enable any data sharing without making a physical connection to the drone.

4. Getting Hardware charged and ready

  1. You should have received an Astro in a case and a separate shipment of Astro batteries (We have to ship separately due to Dangerous Goods shipping requirements.) The chargers are going to be located in the Astro travel case under the battery foam insert.

  2. Connect the Astro batteries to the charger and charge until complete.

  3. Plug in the Pilot Pro (or Herelink controller) and charge until complete.

5. Go Flying

  • Go Flying! To ensure that the Pilot is using best practices, there is a quick checklist card included in the Astro case.

  • Now that you have completed your first flight, dive in, learn the details, and put Astro to work!

(only one battery is needed, and it will not arm as a safety mechanism. It will show 'Check battery' in the vehicle status when only one battery is installed)

To get the best Freefly customer support, the Freefly Astro comes with the , an online fleet management tool that unlocks the superpowers of Astro.

The Suite is where the data of. You get insights on vehicles, assets, and operations to keep control over your robotics program.

Using the Suite is the quickest and easiest way to get the best Freefly support for your aircraft- you can easily in case of issues with just two clicks.

Using a web browser, go to the following address to connect to the Astro:

If you don't already have an Astro fleet registered in your Auterion Suite, you will need to before registering the aircraft. Just follow the online prompts from the Suite to make your account.

Go to the settings of the and ensure Cloud Services and Flight Log Upload are enabled.

Check that the and are up to date.

While your batteries and controller charge, read the , and learn how to control Astro.

If you are getting started with the NDAA/Blue version of the Astro, make sure to read

Watch the First Flight Guide instructional video below. For more training videos, please visit our

To learn more about mapping workflows, please visit our to learn how to produce high-quality maps using the Astro

Once you have performed your first flights, you can review your flights . If there are any issues, you can .

Pilot skill with is required for .

Power on your Astro
Auterion Enterprise Suite
your fleet is collected, analyzed, and presented
share aircraft logs directly with Freefly customer support
10.41.1.1
make a Suite Account
Astro's webpage
Astro firmware
controller firmware
Flight section of this wiki
Doodle radio notes
Freefly Astro Training Playlist
Mapping Workflow page
in the Auterion Suite
easily share the flight logs with our support team straight from the Suite
Manual Mode
Emergency Procedures
here
Blue
Getting to WiFi settings in AMC
Inputting WiFi Configuration Details
USB-C location on the Astro