Auterion Mission Control (AMC) is a ground control station application for pilots. It can be used to fly aircraft, to plan missions, fly missions, and to configure the aircraft. It can run on Herelink and PC.

Auterion's complete documentation is here: https://docs.auterion.com/vehicle-operation/

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.

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 here

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. Power on your Astro (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)

3. 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)

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

• The Suite is where the data of your fleet is collected, analyzed, and presented. 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 share aircraft logs directly with Freefly customer support in case of issues with just two clicks.

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.

1. Using a web browser, go to the following address to connect to the Astro: 10.41.1.1

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

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

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

1. Go to the settings of the Astro's webpage and ensure Cloud Services and Flight Log Upload are enabled.

2. 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.

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.

4. Check that the Astro firmware and controller firmware are up to date.

5. Go Flying

• While your batteries and controller charge, read the Flight section of this wiki, and learn how to control Astro.

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

• Watch the First Flight Guide instructional video below. For more training videos, please visit our Freefly Astro Training Playlist

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

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

• Once you have performed your first flights, you can review your flights in the Auterion Suite. If there are any issues, you can easily share the flight logs with our support team straight from the Suite.

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

​

Astro is a compact professional multi-rotor aircraft designed for enterprise, industrial, and cinematic applications. Astro is built on the success of the Alta family of aircraft and includes new technologies like Auterion Skynode and Freefly SuperLight Batteries.

Astro is the next generation of Freefly aircraft, which emphasizes expandability and customization to make sure it can stand up to all challenges thrown its way while still being the reliable workhorse drone that Freefly pilots know and love.

Key Components

Astro Aircraft Layout

Astro Transmitter

SuperLight Battery

SuperLight Lithium-ion batteries are designed and manufactured by Freefly. You can find more information on the battery in the SuperLight Battery section of the wiki.

Astro LEDs

There are 5 total status LEDs on the Astro. The 4 boom LEDs at the end of each arm show constant lights in most circumstances. By default, the rear two boom LEDs are red, and the front two boom LEDs are green. These LEDs will blink as the battery gets low, and blink quickly if there is an error.

The Astro uses a multi-color status indicator LED to communicate aircraft status on the ground. This LED is located on the front-left boom of the aircraft (pictured below in blue on boom 4). See the table below for complete information on the color codes

Status Indicator LED Color Codes

Astro Flight Checklist

Below is our recommended Astro flight checklist, which covers the main considerations you need to be aware of before, during, and after operation.

We also offer this checklist as a Google Sheet template to allow for a more customized experience. For example, you might want to add specific items to better reflect your company's safety procedures, workflow, payload, or region.

Before Flight

Powering On the Transmitter

Powering On the Astro

The Astro can be powered with either one or two batteries. One battery will put the Astro into Bench Mode to prevent arm for benchtop operations, and two batteries will allow for flight

To power on the Astro, connect at least one SL8 battery by sliding it along the rails on top of the aircraft until you hear two clicks. Once connected, press the button on the battery twice to turn it on. If you have two batteries connected, they will both automatically power on when you turn on one of them.

Checking Battery Levels

Once the transmitter and Astro are connected, the AMC app indicates Astro's battery level and the battery level of the handset in the status bar.

Issues Preventing Arming

You may occasionally encounter issues that will prevent Astro from arming:

Compass Cal

If AMC asks you to calibrate the compass and won't allow you to take off, follow the instuctions to recalibrate sensors in an area without significant magnetic interference (far from large metal structures or magnetic/electric installations).

Everything else

Check if the AMC message you're encountering is on our Error/Warning Spreadsheet and follow the associated instructions. If you're still experiencing the issue, please reach out to support@freeflysystems.com for further troubleshooting.

Arming and Disarming

Astro's propulsion system has two fundamental states: Disarmed and Armed. These states are displayed on the Astro through the LED's on the boom arms.

Astro can be armed with or without GPS.

The transition between Armed and Disarmed can be done either through AMC or with the sticks on the pilot handset. (The pilot's handset default configuration is Mode 2.)

Missions may Arm and Disarm the aircraft automatically. For example, if a mission is started while the aircraft is disarmed on the ground, the aircraft will arm and take off.

Automatic Disarm Methods

Under these conditions, Astro will automatically disarm.

Taking off

Position Mode is best for taking off in most cases, as it offers the most stabilization. However, it is certainly possible to take off in Altitude, Manual, and Mission modes as well.

For 5 seconds after takeoff, the maximum pitch and roll angles are reduced to 12 degrees.

After takeoff, promptly climb out of ground effect (i.e. to 3 meters / 12 feet of altitude) to avoid snagging landing gear on the ground.

Takeoff best practices:

Landing

Position Mode is best for landing in most cases, as it offers the most stabilization. However, it is certainly possible to land in Altitude and Manual modes as well. The aircraft behaves a little differently in each mode.

In Position and Altitude Modes, at altitudes below 7 meters, the maximum vertical speed is reduced to 0.7 m/s (from the normal value of 2 m/s).

Astro will disarm automatically after the autopilot detects a landing. Landing detection brings together input from several sensors to determine when it is safe to disarm.

Landing best practices:

Battery Changes / Hotswaps

Battery Changes

The Astro's batteries can be removed by pushing up on the grey tab on the back of the battery. This will unlock the battery, and allow you to slide it out.

Hotswap

During some longer missions, you may find hotswapping batteries easier, which will keep the Astro powered on during the battery changing process. To hotswap batteries, remove one discharged pack from the drone and replace it with a charged pack. Enable the pack by pressing the power button twice, then replace the other discharged pack. Enable the second charged pack if it does not show "Hotswap" on the battery display screen.

The pilot may also adjust the Low Battery Failsafe settings to activate Return Mode automatically at a level appropriate for the mission.

Upon landing, AMC will offer an option to "Resume Mission from Waypoint #". This will modify the mission by removing the waypoints already visited.

Flight Modes

Astro offers several flight modes with varying levels of assistance to the pilot.

Flight mode can be changed via the buttons on the Pilot Pro/Herelink or the AMC app on the handset/PC. See the documentation for the equipment you're using to become familiar with the buttons/switches involved.

Pilot-controlled Modes

Autonomous Modes

Example Mission

Front Overlap

Definition: The amount that each image overlaps with the previous sequential image; effectively, you are taking pictures more frequently on each straightaway of your mission. Benefit: The higher the front overlap, the more consistent your resulting map will likely be, as the stitching software will have an easier time connecting the discreet images together.

Tradeoff: You will be taking more pictures, many of which are redundant to an extent. This takes up more storage and takes more time to process. When changing this value, keep in mind that your photo interval needs to be greater than or equal to 2.0 seconds. The USB drive cannot save large images any faster. Recommended value: 70%

Side Overlap

Definition

The amount that each image overlaps with the adjacent images in a parallel leg of the mission. The higher the value, the closer each swath of the mission will be to its neighboring swath.

Benefit

Like front overlap, higher side overlap increases the consistency of your stitching software by introducing more redundant landmarks that help combine the two photos together.

Tradeoff

Due to the increased number of passes over the same area, increasing side overlap will also increase the duration of your mission. Unlike front overlap, increasing your side overlap percentage does not increase your photo interval, though it will still increase the total number of pictures taken.

Recommended value: 70%

Altitude vs. Ground Resolution (GSD)

The Survey options ask you to select one: Altitude or GSD. These two options are directly proportional and can be selected based on the mission area and your requirements.

GSD, or Ground Resolution, is a general approximation of the fidelity of each image when compared to real-world measurements. For example, a ground resolution of 1 cm/px posits that every single pixel in the resulting map will be approximately 1 centimeter in length. This measurement can be calculated using the camera's resolution and the distance from the object being photographed. It stands to reason that if we have the desired ground resolution and the camera's resolution as known variables, the distance (or altitude of the aircraft) can be calculated as well!

Notice how changing the altitude or GSD sliders will also change the other option automatically. If you are using GSD, make sure that the resulting altitude is still clear of any obstacles.

Pattern Options

Changing these settings requires Advanced Mode, which is not recommended for most pilots. Key safety features and parameters that keep Astro airborne can be disabled if changes are made without understanding their purpose. Keep in mind that changing settings in this mode poses an increased risk to property and safety if not done with careful consideration and care.

Activating Advanced Mode

To switch to Advanced Mode and see many of these options, repeatedly tap on the AMC icon in the top-left-hand corner of the app. After tapping about 6 times, a popup menu will appear asking if you would like to switch to Advanced Mode. The icon will change once Advanced Mode is active. You can return to Standard Mode by repeating the process of tapping the icon until the menu appears and selecting the option to switch to Standard Mode.

Advanced Summary

Advanced Airframe

Advanced Sensors

Be very careful about the Autopilot Orientation setting when calibrating sensors in Advanced Mode. It should not be changed from the default value of ROTATION_YAW_270.

Advanced Motors

Advanced Safety

Advanced Tuning

Advanced Camera

Accessing Advanced Parameters

Parameters are only accessible after

Advanced Parameter Commands

Resetting Parameters to Factory Defaults

On occasion you may need to reset the parameters to the vehicle's default. To do this, once you navigate to parameters, click on Tools > Reset to vehicle's configuration defaults

Loading Parameter Files

Especially in support situations, we may ask you to load a parameter file. To do this, the file will need to be copied into AMC's visible folder so that it can load the file. AMC will be looking for parameters under Documents > Auterion Mission Control > Parameters

To load the parameter file, go to the parameter page and go to Tools > Load from file. As long as the file is in the right location, it should show up and be selectable to import the parameter changes

Options for importing/exporting plans

• Mission import/export: AMC’s .plan files can be imported and exported. This is useful for creating missions on a computer, then importing all of them to Herelink at the same time

• KML import: KML files can be imported to AMC. This is useful for creating mission shape definitions in some software, then importing all of them to Herelink at the same time.

  Important Note on importing:

  • Zoom in to maximum level, then create a random survey shape. If you don’t zoom in, survey shape could be very large and could crash AMC

  • Then click “import KML” on the right toolbar

  • Survey shape will automatically change to the data defined in the KML import

• KML export: This is useful for exporting waypoints outside AMC. You won’t be able to import them back as KML, since these are waypoints, and not a shape definition.

Procedures for transferring files to/from Herelink

Method 1: Micro USB port

1) Connect the Herelink via the Micro USB port to a computer.

2) Turn on the Herelink.

3) Drag down from the top to open the drop-down menu. Select “USB Charging this device”.

4) Select “Transfer files”.

5) The Herelink will appear on your computer as a device named “Optimus”.

6) Upload flight plans into the following folder: Optimus > Internal shared storage > Documents > Auterion Mission Control > Missions

Method 2: Micro SD card (supports maximum 64GB)

1) Upload flight plans onto the MicroSD card.

2) Insert Micro SD card into the Herelink’s Micro SD Card slot.

3) Drag down from the top to open the drop-down menu and select the Micro SD card device.

4) Select the desired flight plan and select “Copy to…” or “Move to…”

5) Select Optimus > Documents > Auterion Mission Control > Missions.

6) Select “Copy” or “Move” to complete transferring.

Camera View

This screen includes a live camera feed, telemetry, and camera/gimbal control. You can also launch uploaded missions or take off using the touch screen.

Map View

This screen shows the nearby satellite map, as well as the currently uploaded mission when applicable.

Pre-Flight Checklist

An optional checklist to assess the requirements of flying a safe mission or manual flight. This checklist can be accessed by tapping the Vehicle box near the top-left corner of the screen. Tapping the yellow boxes turns them green, allowing you to manually verify each item before takeoff.

Red items represent warnings or errors. Some items will prevent takeoff if there is an associated warning or error, such as insufficient battery power. Others will allow for takeoff with some limited usage. In the example below, there is no GPS signal, so the aircraft will only be capable of taking off in Manual mode.

General Guidance

Human safety must be the top priority. Aircraft can be replaced. People cannot. Always prioritize the safety of yourself and others over the preservation of aircraft or equipment.

Emergency situations are dynamic events, that will not often conform perfectly to the categories listed below. A thorough understanding of aircraft systems, proficiency in piloting the aircraft, and sound judgment will allow you to bring about the best possible outcome in an emergency.

The likelihood of an emergency can be reduced substantially through , the use of , and careful pre-flight planning. The likelihood of a safe flight often depends on the diligence of the pilot, both before taking off and during operation.

In general, if an emergency occurs, three basic actions can be applied to most situations:

1. Maintain aircraft control — Small emergencies can quickly escalate if the pilot is distracted attempting to troubleshoot the problem. Always maintain visual contact with the aircraft during an emergency to reduce the likelihood of losing orientation.

2. Analyze the situation — Once the aircraft is stabilized, assess the cause of the emergency.

3. Take appropriate action — In many cases, the appropriate action will be to land the aircraft as soon as possible. Aircraft can be replaced.

Return Mode

Do not be over-reliant on in emergency situations. The cause of the emergency may degrade performance or disable Return Mode. For example, loss of GPS disables Return Mode.

Emergency Procedure Checklists

Emergency Stop

Failsafes

Some failsafes are discussed briefly below.

Error and Warning Indication

Status messages, including errors and warnings, are stored in Flight Logs. After any emergency, review the log to determine the source of the problem.

Advanced Arming Methods

Summary

Provides a brief overview of the main vehicle setup bullet-points that pilots should consider before takeoff. If there is an issue with the sensors or radio, the green dots seen below will instead be red.

Joystick

Currently, the only functionality of this screen is to change and test the functionality of the physical button on the top-right corner of the controller.

Use the dropdown to select the functionality of the button. Watch the box with the 0 in it while pressing the button to verify that it is working.

Sensors

Select Compass, Gyroscope, or Accelerometer to recalibrate. Calibration is recommended for any sensors marked with a red dot.

Radio

Displays a live view of the radio inputs. Allows you to switch between Mode 1 and Mode 2 control schemes (Mode 2 recommended).

Safety

This screen is essential to operating Astro safely. Ensure that the altitude under Return To Launch Settings is higher than the tallest obstructing obstacle. For instance, if your mission takes place near a 65m tree, a return altitude of 60m is insufficient. If an RTL triggers while the aircraft and the landing point are on opposite sides of this tree and you are unable to regain control, it is unlikely that the aircraft will return to the ground safely in this scenario.

Cellular

WiFi

General Notes

Cleaning

Keep your aircraft clean of dust and debris after each use- this will ensure that moving parts are not damaged/warn/jammed and also helps prevent and contamination from hiding structural damage that must be identified during visual preflight inspections.

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.

Preventative Maintenance Schedule

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

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.

At any point if you are concerned about something on the aircraft you can contact Freefly Support or purchase a Preventative Maintenance Checkup.

PM1: Every Flight

• Perform a full 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.

• Check that motors spin freely and with no grinding/interference

• Developing this mental model of your drone is key to catching issues before they become a possible in-flight emergency.

PM2: Every 15 Flight Hours

In addition to phase PM1:

Perform a detailed visual inspection of the aircraft:

• Propeller blades and fasteners

  • Motor mounting fasteners are present and not loose

  • Propeller blades are flight ready. Reject if chips, cracks, or deep scratches are visible. Replace as necessary with spare parts.

• Vibration Isolators:

  • Visually check for any cracks, gel leaks, visible stretching. Replace as necessary with spare parts

• Propeller blade washers (between blade and hub):

  • Visually check if they are present and not severely deformed. Replace as necessary with with spare parts

• Inspect Landing Gear

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

Clean aircraft

• Wipe down any dust/debris from chassis

• Clean any contamination from battery connectors

• Ensure no debris in or around the boom motors

• Clean off any debris on propellers

Check Propeller Tension

• Propeller tension is within acceptable tightness range (not clamping the propeller to tight or too loose on the propeller)

Verify Boom Latch Tightness

• Verify each boom fully latches

• The safety hinge has a solid over-center force

• The hinge latch fully seats behind the latching post

• If the hinge does not have enough tension, use a driver to adjust the hinge set screw to increase the latch tension

PM3: Every 3 Months: SL8 Battery Maintenance

• Visually inspect each battery:

  • Verify housings are intact and have no structural damage

  • Verify the battery connector has no major damage

    • Note: It is possible for the connector to get small minor chips from high force insertion on the Astro. This is OK as long as no connector metal is exposed from the damage.

    • If you have any questions, send a photo of the connector to Freefly Support

• Verify that the battery does not have any errors displayed on the OLED screen

PM4: Every 250 Flight Hours

In addition to phases PM1 and PM2:

Inspect all fastener locations to verify fasteners are present, not damaged, and are not loose

To check fasteners, apply a slight tightening torque (Clockwise direction) to each fastener on the chassis using the supplied hex drivers. The fasteners should not slip. Do not try to tighten the fastener, only check if it is loose

• 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)

• Top and bottom chassis bolts

• Payload Isolation Mount

• Compass mounting bolts

• GPS antenna tightness

• Landing Gear bolts

• Any payload fasteners

PM5: Every 750 Flight Hours

• Freefly recommends to perform this maintenance every year even if the aircraft has not hit 750 flight hours, especially if the aircraft has missed other PM intervals or if the drone operates in harsh or abusive conditions

• Send Astro in for a Freefly Service Inspection and Overhaul

  • Freefly drone service team will perform a full visual inspection and functional test of your aircraft with specific emphasis on:

    • Wear/fatigue items

    • Updated/improved/revised components

    • Confirm performance thresholds

      • Motors

      • Sensors

      • Any payload stabilization metrics

    • The service will include:

      • Historical flight log review for any errors or trends that need to be addressed (shared via Auterion Suite)

      • Service bulletin and firmware updates.

      • Full airworthiness inspection

      • Full cleaning and fastener replacement (as needed)

      • System level test and re-qualification

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

Manage your enterprise robotics program with Auterion Suite. The Suite is where the data of your fleet is collected, analyzed and presented. Get insights on vehicles, assets and operations to keep control over your robotics program. With Auterion-powered vehicles data is delivered automatically and in real-time from the fleet to the Suite – while the drones are flying and without any manual intervention. Learn more about the Auterion Suite here on Auterion's website.

Astro is built to easily integrate into the Auterion Suite and many of Astro's features are enabled through this platform

• Manage your aircraft fleet

• Access detailed flight logs, check vehicle status

• Direct Freefly customer support with integrated flight log sharing and review

• Get software updates

• Astro live video sharing capabilities

• Auterion's documentation covers the Suite in depth.

How to sign up for the Auterion Suite and Register your Astro

Watch this Quick Start video showing how to sign up and unlock the powers of your Astro in the Auterion Suite

• Using a computer, connect a USB-C cable from your computer to the IO panel on the underside of the Freefly Astro.

  • Power on the the Astro with one SL8 battery (NOTE: Using only one battery prevents the danger of accidentally arming the aircraft).

  • This physical connection to the Astro is required for security reasons as the Suite enables location data, live streaming, etc.

• Using a web browser, go to the following address to connect to the Astro: http://10.41.1.1

• This page will allow the user to sign up for the suite as well as automatically register and claim the aircraft. Click "Register Now" or scan QR code for mobile signup.

  • Note: This requires the vehicle to be online to generate a signup QR code otherwise it’ll say “internet required” for the registration prompt.

  • Connect the Astro to the internet using these instructions to connect to either a WIFI or LTE network.

  • If Astro is connected to the internet and plugged into the computer and http://10.41.1.1 does not show the Register Now button, try refreshing your browser.

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

• Go Fly!

Alternate Signup Methods

• Another signup method is to sign up for the Auterion Suite directly from Auterion's website.

• If you use this method, you won't have any vehicles registered for your Suite account unless you add them manually!

• You can add an aircraft using the Aircraft serial number under the Vehicles page, but note that data sharing will be limited until you physically connect your aircraft to a laptop and validate you have physical access to the drone.

• To physically register an aircraft that was added by serial number, you'll need to connect the aircraft to a wifi network as described here, then connect physically to a computer and visit http://10.41.1.1 in your browser. Click the large Register button on this screen and sign in to Auterion Suite to complete the process.

Getting Data into the Suite

Astro will automatically upload flight log files to the Suite with built-in wifi or LTE connections.

Flight Logs

Astro's autopilot automatically creates log files that record the aircraft's flight path, inputs received, outputs sent, and more.

Log files are stored to the onboard SD card. If the aircraft is registered in the Auterion Suite, Astro will automatically upload flight log files to the Suite when a wifi or LTE connection is available. Logs can also be downloaded to a PC.

Flight logging starts when Astro is armed, and ends when Astro is disarmed.

Logs in the Suite

The easiest way to view the logs is with an Auterion Suite account (Basic version is free).

Navigate to a particular flight to see many plots showing data such as angles, position, speed, GPS quality, vibration, etc. It will also show the build information, parameter values, and any errors detected in the flight.

The suite allows sharing log files with the Freefly Support Team.

Sharing Flight Logs with Support

To ask Freefly about a problem with a particular flight, use the "Share with Manufacturer" toggle.

Logs without the Suite

If you're not able to use the suite, it's possible to download log files from Astro to a PC via USB.

Downloading

Logs are stored in the onboard SD card in “ulog” format. Use this procedure to download them. Requirements: Astro, 1 SL8 battery, USB-C cable, AMC PC, and an Auterion Suite account (you can create a free account here; an account is required to download AMC PC).

Viewing and Analysis

The easiest tool to use is http://logs.px4.io. Simply upload a ulog file. It will present thorough analysis via plots showing data such as angles, position, speed, GPS quality, vibration, etc. It will also show software build information, parameter values, and any errors detected in the flight.

For other purposes, there are a variety of other flight log analysis tools.

• Using the Auterion Suite to share aircraft logs with Freefly Support (by clicking on the "Share with manufacturer" button) is the easiest and quickest way to get Freefly support and get your Astro back in the air after an issue.

Privacy, Data Sharing, and Security

Freefly and Auterion think of data generated by Astro, including flight logs, as your property. We think it's important that you are in control of your data, are confident in the measures taken to ensure security, and agree with how the data is used.

The Auterion Privacy Policy gives a layperson's description of how data can flow from Astro, through the Suite, and to partners you choose.

Briefly, when Astro is registered with a Suite account, you can choose to have flight logs automatically uploaded from the aircraft to Auterion servers when an internet connection is available. You can review this data in your Suite account. Auterion employees do not have access to your data. You may choose to share individual flight logs with Freefly Support via the Suite, for example to troubleshoot details of a specific flight.

• Freefly and Auterion understand the need for full data control and user privacy so we have built this platform for maximum user control.

• The Astro comes with hardware to support WIFI and LTE connections to the internet or other devices.

  • If you do not want the LTE to connect, do not install a SIM card for data connection

  • If you do not want the Astro to connect to WIFI, do not select any networks or present any passwords. You can also disable WIFI on the pilot handset.

• For security purposes the user needs to have physical access/connection to the Astro in order to register the aircraft to the Auterion Suite because the Auterion Suite enables log uploads, live unit status tracking, live video streaming etc.

MavLink

Console

WiFi

This section describes the connection process for Astro's built-in wifi chip. This functionality is useful while the aircraft is on the ground, for admin and setup tasks. Connecting the Astro to wifi is required to complete the initial Auterion Suite setup process.

Connect the Astro aircraft to a wifi network

Connect to the Astro hotspot via wifi

1. Open AMC on the pilot handset or PC. If using a PC, connect to Astro with a USB-C cable.

2. Power Astro.

3. Tap the icon in the top-left of AMC. Navigate to Vehicle Setup > WiFi.

4. Set Wifi Mode to Hotspot, which allows Astro to broadcast a wifi network that other devices can connect to.

LTE

If your Astro has an LTE sim card installed, you can utilize online features such as live video, real-time aircraft status, and flight logs through Auterion Suite.

Configure and Enable / Disable

1. Install a SIM card into Astro. Make sure to write down the SIM card number found on the card if you don't have it recorded elsewhere.

2. Open AMC on the pilot handset or PC

3. Navigate to Vehicle Setup > Cellular

4. If you need to access the IMEI number for the vehicle to enable the SIM cards, connect to the Astro with a laptop and USB cable

   1. Power on Astro with one battery only.

   2. Connect the laptop and the Astro by plugging in a USB-C cable to the IO panel on the underside of the aircraft.

   3. Using a web browser, navigate to http://10.41.1.1/ to connect to your Astro aircraft

   4. On the bottom of the page, expand the "details" bar and scroll until you find the listed IMEI information

Hardware Disable

You can assure that LTE is not being used by removing the SIM card from Astro.

Frequencies and Compatibility

Changing SIM / Service Provider

When switching SIM cards, try leaving the APN field blank. It should be automatically detected. If not, here are a few suggestions.

In most cases, check the "Allow Roaming" box.

After changing the SIM, reboot both the aircraft and AMC.

General

Comm Links

Offline Maps

Silvus

Updating Astro Firmware

1. 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

How to Reset to Default Astro Parameters

It is possible to operate Astro close to the limits of performance by maintaining awareness of the performance envelope, how the aircraft behaves if the limits are exceeded, and best practices for operating in harsh environments.

This page reflects the limitations of the most current version. As the Astro platform matures, limitations are likely to change. For major changes that may affect these limitations, check the .

Troubleshooting

Visit our to look into additional solutions if you aren't finding what you're looking for on the wiki.

Flight Control

For all flight modes except Manual, at altitudes below 2 meters, the tilt angle is reduced to 12 degrees and vertical speed is reduced to 0.7 m/s.

The purpose is to prevent tip-overs while landing but has the side effect of reducing speed if flying below the takeoff point (e.g. surveying from a high vantage point). We are working to correct this behavior.

Continuous Flight

If you have 8 SL8 batteries, 6 SL8 chargers, and electricity at the location of your flight, you can continuously charge 6 batteries at a time while flying Astro, allowing for uninterrupted flight for as long as you need. If you are flying without a payload, you will only need 6 batteries and 4 chargers.

Radio Range and Interferences

Operating with a weak signal, whether due to interference or long range, can cause loss of link with the aircraft, which will engage failsafes. If you anticipate a weak signal situation, double-check that failsafes are set appropriately.

Range

The range of Herelink and the Doodle radios on Astro is approximately 2 km in ideal conditions, assuming there are no interferences and the antennas are positioned correctly.

Antenna Positioning

Pilot Pro

Both the Doodle and Herelink radio modules on Pilot Pro use two blade antennas that are omni directional. It is important to follow these basic guidelines:

• Antennas should both point in the same direction.

• Antennas should point towards ground or sky

• Minimize how much the antennas are getting blocked in close proximity. For instance, if you are using the Pilot Pro with the tablet in the open configuration, then pointing antennas towards ground instead of sky is usually better.

Herelink GCS (Legacy):

Herelink GCS has two types of antennas.

• Patch antenna (with a circular disk on top) is a directional antenna and should be pointed toward the aircraft

• Other antenna is omni-directional and it should be positioned pointing towards the ground or sky

Interferences

Range can be reduced by radio interference from other sources like wifi networks. Obstacles like trees and buildings in close proximity to the controller or Astro, as well as directly between the two, can dramatically reduce range.

Multiple Aircraft

• Astro's Doodle radio configuration runs on dedicated peer to peer channels. In order to fly multiple Astros in the same airspace, make sure to scan channels and then set each Astro Doodle to a different channel.

• Astro's Herelink radios are channel hopping by default. 4 aircraft can fly simultaneously in the same airspace in practice. If more aircraft are present, interference can cause loss of radio link and control.

  • If using the legacy Herelink GCS, you can set each Herelink to be on a dedicated channel

  • If using the Pilot Pro with the Herelink radio, this feature is not yet available.

High Power Radio Interference

Environment

Temperature

Astro can operate between -20 and 50 C. Position mode and survey flying are normal throughout the range. However, care is needed to operate at low and high temperatures.

Yellow region: Hovering and aggressive flights may give overtemp warnings. Follow the warning instructions.

Blue region: If batteries become too cold, state of charge will decline quickly and aircraft will enter Return or Land mode. Keep batteries warm, above 10 °C at takeoff, then self-heating will keep them warm.

Wind

Operating Astro at winds greater than 8-10m/s can be dangerous. Keep in mind that the wind speed at higher altitudes is typically much higher. In high wind, AMC will show a warning.

When Astro is not flying, fold the props and install the propeller protectors. If the wind blows through open props, it can cause them to spin up dangerously.

Rain and Dust

Battery connectors cannot be mated while wet or containing debris. We recommend compressed air to clean the connectors.

Tips for operating in Rainy and Dusty environments.

Rain in particular increases the risk of electrical malfunction because it can lead to short circuits

Dust carries a risk of mechanical malfunction because it can enter the motors and obstruct rotation.

Both of these conditions carry an increased risk of malfunction and danger. It is difficult to judge the exact amount of precipitation, and the amount can vary without warning during the course of a flight. Therefore, we recommend avoiding situations that endanger people.

Voltage Mismatch

If the two batteries powering Astro have a voltage difference of more than 2.0V, a voltage mismatch error will occur. 2V is roughly a 25% difference in the batteries' states of charge.

Magnetic Interference

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:

• Move away from any potential sources of magnetic interference, like metal or water. In most cases, moving the Astro a 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.

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

.

Current Firmware Version

Astro v1.7 Release Notes

Astro v1.7 Compatibility Table

Previous Firmware Versions

Astro v1.6 Release Notes

Astro v1.5 Compatibility Table

Astro Case

Case Dimensions: 31x24x15 inches

Weight Table

For more information on Astro Map payload weights, see the

Batteries

Airline Travel

Please consult local regulations.

Detailed FAA regulations here:

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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.

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.

Other changes:

• Updated the name of the "SER_PPB_BAUD" parameter to "SER_EXT2_BAUD".

Here is a guide to get your issues resolved faster:

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

• Share as much detail as possible and provide Astro's serial number.

• Share your flight logs from the .

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

• Include pilot statement and notes of any incident or details

Known Issues and Solutions

FAQ

Advanced Troubleshooting

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New: LR1 Thermal Module [Boson 640R]

• We just started shipping the . This adds a radiometric 640x512 LWIR core to Astro!

• • Spot temperature readout

    • Mix/max temperatures of region

    • Adjustable region size

    • Selectable Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin

  • Media capture - Jpeg, Radiometric Tiff, both, video

  • Zoom - digital up to 8x

New: LR1 and A7R4 Payload Features

• Digital Zoom:

  • 1.0 to 4.0x digital zoom for live preview and saved images/videos. This can be controlled with the on screen buttons or the right hand rocker on pilot pro.
• Tap to Focus:

  • A new mode under Auto Focus is exposed: Flexible Spot with size small, medium, or large.

  • This can be enabled/disabled by the tap icon next to the shutter button as well

• Note: A7R4 tap to focus is much slower than LR1, limited by the camera's autofocus speed

Update: Payload zoom on Pilot Pro right side rocker

• Zoom function is now mapped to the right hand rocker (below R1 button) on Pilot Pro. This works for:

  • LR1 Payload

  • A7R4 Payload

  • Thermal Module for LR1

  • Wiris Pro Payload

Fixes and Improvements:

• LR1 Payload - Fixed an overheat condition on bootup

• LR1 Payload - Fixed soft focus in infinity focus mode

• A7R4 Payload - Removed incorrect 50mm infinity focus setting

• AMC - Removed Structure Scan

• AMC - LR1 and Thermal Module appear as EO/IR toggle when both connected

• Distance Sensor Module - can now select between ft. and meters

• Distance Sensor Module - displays +99m when max range is reached

• Added support for up to 3 cameras on Astro

  • Currently, only video can be recorded on LR1 and one additional camera (ex: LR1 and Thermal) simultaneously. Wiris Pro is treated in the software as one camera

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New: Pilot Pro Integration

• We just launched Pilot Pro and we think it's the best drone controller ever designed - ! Astro Software v1.4 brings support for the Pilot Pro and introduces new features with it including real time velocity control dials with the new Slow Speed Mode

New: Velocity Control (aka Slow Speed Mode)

• Using the dials on the Pilot Pro allows for very accurate control of the Astro’s gimbal, ground and vertical velocities - ensuring smooth, consistent, and repeatable climbs or descents. Pilots can lower the velocity and vertical maximum speeds .1 m/s, such that a full stick command moves the machine at that maximum speed and climb rate.

• Fine-Tuned Speed Adjustments: Pilots can set the velocity and vertical maximum speeds as low as 0.1 m/s. At this setting, a full stick command results in the drone moving at the specified maximum speed and climb rate.

• High-Fidelity, Controlled Movements: By lowering the velocity clamps to a minimal setting, pilots can achieve highly precise and repeatable slow camera movements or climbs, offering exceptional control via the cyclic stick.

• Seamless Mode Transition: Operate in the traditional Position Mode to fly at full speed. For operations requiring more finesse, such as a tower inspection or a cinematic shot, switch to the "Position Slow" mode, where the velocity limits set by the dials are engaged for more delicate maneuvers.

Operational Behavior Changes:

• Mission and RTL Joystick Interaction: Moving the joysticks during Mission, Hold, or RTL modes will no longer switch to Position mode. For immediate stopping, press the Position mode button.

  • It's important to note that after executing certain automated actions, like Missions and Takeoff commands, the drone typically concludes with a Hold action. To regain manual control using the joysticks, operators must deliberately switch to Position mode.

• Photo Trigger Feedback: Enhanced feedback in AMC UI during photo capture to prevent premature triggering of the next photo. Added error sound for capture failures.

• Vehicle Timezone Configuration: Option to set the vehicle timezone on the Skynode web page. When set this will be used to name the photo folders based on the local time.

• Failsafe Options for Wind Limit: Customizable failsafe actions if wind limit threshold is reached: Warning only, Return-To-Launch (RTL, default), and Land.

Herelink GCS Updates:

• Gimbal Tilt Control Sensitivity: Added an option to adjust the sensitivity.

• Rocker Dead Band Adjustment: New setting to fine-tune the rocker dead band.

User Interface (UI) Enhancements:

• Quick Vehicle Overview Menu: Accessible via the vehicle indicator on the top bar's left side, featuring preflight checklists, safety settings, and system status.

• Vehicle Menu Tab: Now hidden in normal mode, with essential tools available in the Quick Vehicle Overview Menu.

• Tool Strip UI Revamp: Organized into Quick Actions, Flight Tools, and Map Tools, with improved accessibility and description tooltips.

• Heading Indicator and Telemetry Dashboard: Redesigned for better map interaction and readability.

• Unified Joystick and Radio Menu: Consolidated under the Controller menu.

• Radio Tab Availability: Limited to RC-enabled vehicle configurations.

Status and Monitoring Improvements:

• AMC Log Default: Logs are enabled by default with a retention of the last 10 files. Popup notifications for unhandled exceptions.

• Magnetometer Interference Alerts: Notifications for detected interferences.

• Enhanced Cellular Status Indicator: Detailed status display, including SIM card issues and connection rates.

• Battery Charging Indicator: Now available for Android-based AMCs.

• WiFi Settings Sync Fix: Resolved synchronization issues between WiFi settings and vehicle status.

• PPK Status Enhancements:

  • New workflow API for progress status.

  • Fix for incorrect PPK status display in AMC.

Photo Gallery Updates:

• In-Progress Download Display: Enhanced visibility of ongoing downloads.

• UI Improvements: Better organization and navigation, including thumbnail resizing and navigation arrows.

• Pinch-to-Zoom: Added for gallery images.

• Download Optimizations: Various improvements to accelerate photo downloads.

Mapping and Mission Planning:

• Mission Planning UI Structure: New tabbed interface for mission planning stages: "Start," "Mission," and "End."

• Terrain Elevation Data Model: Transitioned to a new model hosted by Auterion, replacing the previous service that ended in June 2023.

• KML Import and Mission Item Handling: Fixed KML import errors and improved mission item loading times and gimbal command execution.

• Sony A7RIV Triggering: Improved consistency with reduced jitter during surveys.

• Max Waypoint Distance: Increased to 1500 meters.

• Unified Map Layer: Eliminates the need for map reloading when switching views.

Auterion Suite Integration:

• New Onboarding Interface in AMC: Streamlined registration and setup process.

• Feature Configuration Page: Customize Auterion Suite features in AMC.

• Photo Upload Enhancements: Increased reliability, speed, and UI integration of photo uploads. Photos taken while disarmed won't upload.

• Live Streaming Fix: Resolved issues causing video drops, ensuring stability across sessions.

Fixes and Improvements:

• Video Stream Reliability: Improved the reliability of the video stream resuming automatically after a brief link loss

• Video Recording Controls: Fixed Start/Stop/Toggle button functionalities for video recording.

• Video Stream Duplication: Fixed an issue causing multiple streams, potentially overloading the radio link.

• App Stability: Improved stability during vehicle connection changes.

• MAVLink Command Processing: Removed command queuing for immediate execution and reliability.

• Hold Command and Fly View Commands: Resolved execution issues related to missing terrain data.

• Manual Control Failsafe: Improved handling during hold command execution.

• Geofence Reposition Command: Addressed a corner case affecting hold commands.

• Orbit Altitude Stability: Fixed altitude changes when adjusting speed.

• Mission Start Bug: Fixed a bug causing the vehicle to get stuck in mission mode with idle motors.

Integrator Updates:

• MAVLink Dialect Default in AMC: Changed to v2, enhancing initial communication efficiency.

• Skynode Web UI Logging View: Added for comprehensive log monitoring from any application.

• AuterionOS App Base Image Inclusion: Simplifies and accelerates app development.

• MAVSDK Version Update: Upgraded to version 1.4.0.

• MAVLink Tracker API: New API for integrating third-party object trackers with AMC.

• Distance Metadata in XMP: Added for enhanced data capture.

• Disarm Gesture Hysteresis: Introduced with adjustable COM_RC_DARM_A_H parameter.

• MAV_0_FORWARD and COM_RC_OVERRIDE: Set to 0.

• MIS_DIST_1WP: Set to 1500.

• Wind Limit Failsafe Actions: Configurable via COM_WIND_MAX_ACT parameter.

Pilot Pro (Herelink Radio)

• If you are upgrading your Astro from using Herelink GCS (Legacy) to Pilot Pro (Herelink Radio) for the first time, then your Astro needs an upgrade first. Please follow .

• If Astro was already upgraded to be used with Pilot Pro, then follow.

Pilot Pro (Doodle Radio)

Herelink GCS (Legacy)

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. for the GUI details.

Magnetic Interference

In the event of magnetic interference preventing the aircraft from taking off, follow these .

Tuning

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

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. 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

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

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.

Replacement Parts

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

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

Fastener Specifications

Fastener Torque Values

LR1 Payload Hardware Overview

Astro + LR1 Payload is designed to fill the needs of enterprise mapping and inspection workflows.

• Learn more about the

• The LR1 Payload consists of a Freefly gimbal with an integrated Sony ILX - LR1 camera. It is developed for use with Astro and other vehicles that use the Freefly Smart Dovetail and the Pixhawk Payload Bus standard.

Installing the Isolator

Installing/Removing the Gimbal from Astro

Updating Gimbal Firmware

Updating Astro and AMC

Major changes and improvements from A7R4 Payload to the LR1 Payload:

• Decreased weight and increased flight times!

  • At 2cm GSD, Astro + A7R4 can cover 220 acres, Astro + LR1 can cover about 250 acres.

  • We are seeing an increase of 3-5 minutes of flight time

• Easier lens swaps/adjustment

• Better/faster autofocus

• Expansion ports for addition cameras and sensors

• Improved gimbal stabilization

• Improved video quality, video setting controls, color profiles, and frame rates

• Fold-flat design for better storage/travel

Distance Sensor

Mounting

Software Setup

Install the Distance Sensor App on your Astro, which can be found here. Version 1.0.1 is needed to work with the Distance Sensor Module

To install the app:

Turn on Astro with LR1 and the Distance Sensor module. Once connected, in AMC > Settings > Enable 'Show Distance Sensor App Output'. The distance readout should now be displayed on the Fly screen in AMC

Features

• Live distance readout (in meters) in AMC at ~5Hz

• Range up to 100m on objects with >70% reflectivity at +/-10cm

  • Below 10m, we have found the error to be within +/-4cm

  • When mounted, the front of the LRF is 44mm forward the LR1 sensor, which should be accounted for when sizing objects in frame based on the distance sensor data.

• Distance sensor value saved in LR1 image metadata (in meters)