Maintenance for Other Key Components

Astro Mapping Payload

SL8 Battery

Contacting Support

If an issue arises that is not covered here, such as a crash, please contact the support team and share as much detail as possible and provide Astro's serial number.

General Cleaning

A clean Astro is a happy Astro!

Clean Astro's exterior with a non-abrasive soft cloth, microfiber towel or similar with a plastic-safe soap or detergent. Graduate the solvent potency when removing contamination, as shown below:

1. Water

2. Soap and water

3. General cleaner (like Simple Green)

4. Isopropyl Alcohol

Avoid anything that has bleach in it, or aggressive solvents like Acetone. If operating in a salt environment, wipe down Astro after use with a clean rag wet with tap water.

Astro SL8 Battery Maintenance

Follow the best practices outlined in the SuperLight Battery Wiki

Preventative Maintenance Schedule

Always follow the preflight checklist items to ensure that each flight is safe and achieves the mission goals.

It is best practice to perform a visual inspection of the drone, controller, batteries, and payloads before each flight. Look for any missing screws or hardware, any new damage or cracks, or anything that looks out of the ordinary or has changed. Developing this mental model of your drone is key to catching issues before they become a possible in-flight emergency.

Astro is rated to 1500 flight hours! If an item is not specifically listed under any preventative maintenance schedule below, then the item is rated for the lifetime of the aircraft. This does include all aircraft electronics and motors.

Every 15 Flights

Astro is designed to be as low-maintenance as possible. Beyond the daily motor checks specified by the checklist, fastener tightness is the next most regular check.

To check fasteners, apply a tightening torque to each fastener on the chassis using the supplied hex drivers. The fasteners should not slip.

• If a fastener does slip, tighten it using the methods described in the "Replacing Components - Fastener Specifications" section. Do not apply additional thread locking compound unless the fastener has repeatedly come loose.

Items that need tightness verified (ensure they have not worked loose):

• Motor mount bolts (attaches motor mount to boom)

• Propeller Mount bolts (attaches props to motor)

• Prop Tension (see prop tension)

• Top and bottom chassis bolts

• Payload Isolation Mount

• Compass mounting bolts

• GPS antenna tightness

• Landing Gear bolts

• Any payload fasteners

Every 15 Hours

Inspect the following items. Replace if worn.

• Propeller blades. Reject if chips, cracks, or deep scratches at visible

• Vibration Isolators: cracks, gel leaks, visible stretching

• Propeller blade washers (between blade and hub)

Inspect all fasteners per the 15 flight interval requirements

Inspect Boom Latch Tightness

• If latch is no longer tight when closing the over-center mechanism, adjust the set screw per the instructions listed Replacing Components section

Inspect Landing Gear

• Look for: Loose hinges, Hinge pin migration, no longer latching, any visible cracks or damage

Every 500 Flight Hours

Perform the following actions:

• Replace the propeller mount assembly on each boom

• Check the health of your SL8 Batteries per the Battery Wiki

Every 1500 Hours

Congrats! You are an Astro power user! Send Astro in for a Freefly Service Inspection and Overhaul.

What to do if an Inspection Fails?

First step is to evaluate if the problem can be fixed- Things that can be fixed by the user typically are:

• Dirty or contaminated hardware

• Loose fasteners (Ensure you have the correct type of Loctite Threadlocker)

• Missing fasteners (If you have the correct replacement parts)

• Any replacement parts that you bought from the store or have specific directions from Freefly Customer Support

If you have a failure and cannot fix using our general guidelines or the spare parts provided in the kit or on the store, please reach out to support@freeflysystems.com or submit a direct ticket for any questions, specific replacement needs or issues! We are here to help you get safely and quickly back into the air!

If you need to purchase spare or replacement parts, please go to store.freeflysystems.com to purchase our standard parts.

Replacement Parts

If you need to purchase spare or replacement parts, please go to store.freeflysystems.com to purchase our standard parts.

For any specific replacement needs or issues, please contact support@freeflysystems.com or submit a direct ticket with your request.

Fastener Specifications

Fastener Torque Values

Removing the Herelink Cover

Invert Astro. Remove 3x M2.5 x 5 BHCS and remove Herelink Cover with Seal from the Astro Chassis underside.

Reinstalling the Herelink Cover

1. Install Rubber Grommet

2. Use 3x M2.5 x 5 BHCS to mount Herelink Cover to Astro Chassis underside. Apply Loctite 222 to fasteners. Torque to 0.2 newton meters (finger tight).

1. Remove fasteners between the prop hub and the motors: (x4) M3x10 bolts.

2. Remove the old propeller assembly.

3. Fit the new propeller assembly.

4. Apply Loctite 243 or equivalent to all screws before installing. torque to 1.5 Newton meters.

5. Reinstall (x4) M3x8 bolts.

The correct direction of the propellers is shown below. Please note the arrow indicating the front of the Astro, which is easily identified by the cylindrical antenna.

Prop Tension

Each blade of the propeller assembly should move freely with a small amount of resistance. It should not be difficult to fold the prop manually, and the force of gravity should be enough to pivot the blade at the bolt if the aircraft is rotated.

Herelink Binding

Prepare non-metallic tweezers or toothpick.

Remove the Herelink cover and seal.

Install one battery on Astro and activate.

Turn on the Herelink Pilot Handset.

Use your finger to pull down from the top of the screen and select the Herelink Radio Status message.

On the Herelink Radio page, tap “Pair”.

Using tweezers, press and hold the Herelink Air Unit "Pair/Reset" button until LED2 blinks (hold approximately 3 seconds).

Verify the Herelink Pilot Handset shows a status of "PAIRED" and the uplink rate is non-zero.

Open the AMC app on Herelink Pilot Handset and verify connection to the aircraft. Power off Astro and Herelink Pilot Handset.

Reinstall the Herelink cover and seal.

Installing a SIM in Astro

1. Select nano SIM card and carrier of your choice which falls in the RF Bands Astro supports.

   1. AT&T and Verizon are recommended. T-Mobile has also been tested and proven functional.

   2. LTE Band Information Link

2. Ensure Astro is powered down and flip it over so it is resting on its prop-protectors

3. Using a 1.5mm hex driver open the SIM access port and remove the rubber cover.

4. Insert your SIM card and ensure that it has latched into the SIM slot.

5. Reinstall the SIM card cover making sure that the cover seals out the SIM port fully. Then flip Astro back over so it is standing on its landing gear.

Setting up your SIM card

1. Browse to http://suite.auterion.com and navigate to the 'Vehicles' page.

2. Under 'Vehicles' find the vehicle that matches the Astro's serial number.

3. Select your Vehicle, proceed to the Data tab, and then click “Associate SIM Card” .

4. Type in the SIM card number and select 'Associate'. Wait until the Suite refreshes and the SIM is associated with Astro
5. Turn on Astro and the Herelink controller.

6. Navigate to the Cellular setup menu under 'Vehicle Setup' on AMC.

7. Ensure that the screen resembles the one shown in the image.

   1. If everything is greyed out, make sure the Astro has had time to fully connect to the Herelink and then try restarting the AMC app on the Herelink controller.

8. Check the box to enable a cellular connection and then enter in your SIM card's APN address.
9. Once both fields are completed hit 'Submit' and wait for the 'Connection to Modem' indicator to turn GREEN.

   1. If there is an error in the APN or the SIM cannot reach service the modem connection may still indicate RED.

SIM Card Options

Updating Astro Firmware

1. Download the firmware file from the or .

2. Connect Astro to your computer with a USB cable.

3. Power on aircraft with one battery and wait about 15 seconds for aircraft to fully boot.

4. Using a browser such as Chrome or Safari, open the aircraft's info/update page at (internet connection is not needed).

5. In the Update Auterion OS box, click Browse, and select the firmware file downloaded above.

6. Click Update. (Should take about 10 minutes.)

7. After the update completion message, verify that the webpage shows a "Release name" that matches the downloaded file and that all the motor LEDs are on.

Checking Astro Firmware Version

Updating Herelink Firmware

1. Connect your Herelink to the internet through WiFi.

2. Swipe down from the top of the screen to pull down the Android quick menu.

3. If there are any updates available, you will see them here. Follow the instructions to get your software updated. Alternatively, go to Android Settings > About phone > System Updates.

Checking the Herelink Software Version

Checking Auterion Mission Control Version

Checking Skyway Version

Reset to Default Astro Parameters

2. Connect AMC to Astro

3. Select: Vehicle setup > Parameters > Tools > Reset to vehicle's configuration defaults.

4. Reboot Vehicle

5. Calibrate sensors as required

| UPDATE NOW |

New Compassless Flight Mode

What is it?

This advanced feature significantly enhances drone navigation in environments where compass reliability is a concern. Originally developed and launched by Freefly Systems in 2015, the algorithm leverages a single GPS to accurately determine aircraft heading.

The new compassless flight mode developed by Auterion and introduced in APX4 further increases the experience by achieving faster convergency times and alows users to directly take off in position mode. Updating to the new Astro Software 1.2 will enable you to experience increased confidence and precision during flight operations, even in challenging conditions.

How to use?

Compassless flight mode is enabled on all Astro’s flying v1.2 or above by default. Now the information from the compass is only used on the ground to determine the initial heading, and it will not be used in flight.

#protip

In a situation where there is a magnetic interference that is preventing the aircraft to figure out its heading before takeoff, you are presented with options:

• Simply take off in altitude mode. Shortly after flying in altitude mode, GPS heading will be locked and you can then switch to position mode.

• Move away from any magnetic interferences. In most cases, moving the Astro few feet away will allow it to get a better magnetic reading to figure out the heading and position mode will become available for takeoff

Flight Performance Enhancements

We've made several key improvements to enhance the flight performance

1. The AMC Fly screen user interface has been redesigned to display more information, including aircraft heading.

2. Astro now relies solely on the Barometer sensor, rather than fusing it with GPS. This change sacrifices some precision but ensures greater reliability and determinism.

3. Preflight critical parameters check has been added for enhanced safety.

4. GPS lock thresholds have been updated to be stricter to improve navigational accuracy.

5. Position Mode now features a faster descent speed to allow more controllability for the pilot. Its been increased from 2.5 m/s to 3.0 m/s

6. Descend and climb speeds for auto (including RTL) are now independent from Position mode min/max settings.

7. Tuning has been refined for better yaw hold.

8. Vertical speed limitations due to blocked distance sensors have been resolved, no longer restricting the aircraft to 0.1m/s.

9. Fixed an issue where aircraft may steer to the original setpoint of heading, not the new heading when pushing forward.

10. Removed the non actionable and confusing “Preflight GPS drift too high” message.

Mission Planning Improvements

Astro Software v1.2 introduces significant updates to mission planning, streamlining the process and enhancing the overall user experience for professionals.

New:

1. A redesigned user interface for AMC Mission Planning offers a more intuitive experience, guiding pilots through mission setup with the Start, Mission, and End tabs. The updated Plan View path predictor more closely simulates vehicle flight behavior, allowing for more precise mission planning.

2. Photo spacing has been optimized, resulting in notably more consistent image capture during missions. This consistency ensures accurate mapping, particularly in situations where altitude is low, or when edges need to be mapped accurately.

3. Import and export missions, as well as KML files, directly on Herelink. This feature allows for efficient mission preparation and sharing across devices, enabling pilots to create missions on a computer, then import them to Herelink simultaneously. KML import and export also allows for mission shape definition creation in other software and waypoint export outside AMC.

4. EXIF data now includes gimbal orientation for improved accuracy.

5. Added support for 50mm lenses in the Missions screen.

Bugfixes:

• Resolved an issue causing blurry photos when pausing and resuming missions.

• Fixed default camera parameter issues during flight.

• Addressed display issues for photo interval computation.

• Corrected a problem where a loaded mission's takeoff waypoint remained at the original location after moving the aircraft.

• Changing the speed now prompts users to re-upload the mission.

• AMC now displays the correct accuracy for RTK FIXED with additional decimal points.

Enhancements to Payload, Camera & Gimbal

Astro Software v1.2 brings several enhancements and bug fixes to payload, camera, and gimbal functionalities:

New:

1. Focus area settings have been added for increased control over autofocus modes, including wide, center, and zone options.

2. Gimbal tilt angle indicator provides real-time information on the gimbal's position. Enable this feature in the camera settings.

3. Adjustable gimbal speed and an option to invert wheel direction for customized control. Enable this feature in the camera settings.

4. Exfat support for USB drives streamlines formatting, saving time and effort for both the Astro production line and customers.

5. Photo capture speed with the A7R is no longer capped at 2 seconds, increasing efficiency.

6. Added Gimbal firmware version display and Gimbal Firmware v1.2 for enhanced performance.

Bugfixes:

• Resolved an issue where no error is thrown when SD card is missing while photo storage is set to "both."

• Fixed a problem where the camera indicates video recording without an SD card present.

• Addressed a mode switch failure message when switching from photos to video.

• Corrected an issue where the gimbal may not receive power until Herelink connects to Astro.

• Fixed a problem where AMC triggers a sound and the photo counter does not increment when storage is set to both and no camera SD card is present.

| UPDATE NOW |

Known Issues and Solutions

FAQ

Advanced Troubleshooting

For in-depth problem-solving, you can check our Troubleshooting Tree or Astro Support page for solutions to specific questions or error codes.

If you need more help or can't find what you're looking for, please contact us!

Here is a guide to get your issues resolved faster:

• Reach out to support by emailing us at support@freeflysystems.com or via our website. Texting or sending social messages will take longer.

• Share your flight logs from the Auterion Suite.

• Include photos or videos in your contact in order to get us up to speed as quickly as possible.

Current Firmware Version

Previous Firmware Versions

Sensor Calibration

It is not necessary to perform calibrations as a matter of course. Often a calibration will not be required even if the aircraft is relocated a long distance (e.g. by air travel). Compass handling in particular has been improved as compared to past PX4 implementations. For example, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft automatically performs a compass calibration. In general, sensor calibration should be unnecessary. There are times when it may be required:

• If the magnetic field strength in the operating area is significantly different than where it was calibrated. If the aircraft appears to have the wrong heading on the ground, makes a large move after takeoff, or flies crooked for a few seconds, those are indicators you should do a compass calibration.

• If the drone has a significant ferrous or magnetic payload installed, it may be required to perform calibration with the payload installed to improve performance.

• If the operating temperature is very hot or cold, it may be required to do a gyro and accelerometer calibration to get best performance. In those cases, power on the aircraft and allow it to sit for 10 minutes in ambient conditions to allow the electronics to warm up, then do gyro and accel cal as directed by AMC. A warning about high accelerometer bias is an indication to do this.

• after doing a full parameter reset, it is usually wise to recalibrate.

Use AMC to calibrate the sensors. See AMC docs for the GUI details.

Tuning

Astro is pre-tuned by Freefly, and can be flown without changes.

Changing low-level parameters requires activating AMC Advanced Mode. Then, navigate to Vehicle Setup > Parameters.