06 · FLIGHT COMPUTER / HARDWARE

July 2026 — Rev A Stage 6 PCB placement complete

All 69 populated components placed on the preliminary 60 × 85 mm four-layer board; routing remains blocked pending human mechanical review.

Back to development log

STAGE 6 PLACEMENT COMPLETE

Digital placement complete. Human review is the current gate.

ARES Flight Computer Rev A Stage 6 top placement view showing all placed footprints, mounting holes, board outline, and unrouted ratsnest.
DIGITAL KICAD PLACEMENT VIEW — not a manufactured board. Routing and fabrication have not started.

All 69 populated components are placed on the preliminary 60 × 85 mm four-layer board. Placement validation passed 16 of 16 recorded checks, with zero unplaced populated components and zero placement DRC violations.

The ratsnest remains intentionally unrouted: 54 multi-node nets and 218 connectivity items are visible. Rev A remains a BENCH/HIL PROTOTYPE and is NOT FLIGHT APPROVED. Physical footprint, connector, enclosure, sensor, and 1:1 print review remain required before routing.