---
title: "W5500-EVB-Pico Powers DLR’s Rocket Simulator"
url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/bruno/projects/w5500-evb-pico-powers-dlrs-rocket-simulator/"
markdown_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/bruno/projects/w5500-evb-pico-powers-dlrs-rocket-simulator/md"
type: "UCC: User Created Content"
author: "Mr. Nico Bernd Maas"
author_url: "https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4117/6/9/247"
editor: "WIZnet"
editor_url: "https://maker.wiznet.io/"
original_author: "Mr. Nico Bernd Maas"
original_url: "https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4117/6/9/247"
published: "2025-10-30"
language: "en"
hardware: ["WIZnet W5500-EVB-Pico"]
likes: 0
views: 521
comments: 0
source: "WIZnet Makers (https://maker.wiznet.io/)"
---

# W5500-EVB-Pico Powers DLR’s Rocket Simulator

> The apex MRMSS:AMulti-Role Mission Support System and Service Module Simulator for Payloads of Sounding Rockets and Other Space Applications

Original author: Mr. Nico Bernd Maas (source: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4117/6/9/247)

## Components

- **WIZnet W5500-EVB-Pico** x 1 ([docs](https://docs.wiznet.io/Product/Chip/Ethernet/W5500/w5500-evb-pico))

## Article

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197936432%5F1761813808%2Epng)

## 🛰 W5500-EVB-Pico Powers DLR’s Rocket Simulator

#### — From Maker Prototype to Aerospace-Grade Mission Hardware

---

### 🚀 Overview

The **Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC)** of the **German Aerospace Center (DLR)**
has developed the **apex MRMSS (Multi-Role Mission Support System)** —
a portable, open, and fully functional Mission Control System used to simulate
and test payloads for sounding rockets, Moon landers, and CubeSat missions.

At the heart of the system lies the **MSMS (Multiple Service Module Simulator)**,
a hardware-in-the-loop simulator that replicates real rocket payload interfaces,
including power, telemetry (TM), and telecommand (TC) links.

In its latest version, **MSMSv3**, DLR engineers selected **WIZnet’s W5500-EVB-Pico**
as one of the main controller boards — proving how a compact Ethernet-enabled RP2040 platform
can operate in professional aerospace environments.

**Inside DLR’s apex MRMSS. The integrated MSMSv3 with W5500-EVB-Pico provides Ethernet-based control and simulation.**

---

### ⚙ Role of W5500-EVB-Pico

**MSMSv3** simulates the Service Module (SM) interfaces of DLR’s **MAPHEUS** sounding rockets
and other experimental platforms.
It provides realistic power control, signal switching, and serial (RS-422) communication to test payloads
before flight.

The **W5500-EVB-Pico** serves as the **main MCU and communication hub**.
It controls the simulator’s power stages, signal lines, and telemetry exchange through
Ethernet and USB interfaces using the **SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments)** protocol.

| Function | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Ethernet Control** | Built-in W5500 TCP/IP hardware stack provides stable Ethernet communication |
| **SCPI Interface** | Enables human-readable control via LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or Yamcs |
| **TM/TC Bridge** | RS-422 telemetry/telecommand relayed over Ethernet-UDP |
| **Power & Safety Management** | Controls digital power supplies, manages E-Stop and overcurrent protection (0.437 ms) |
| **AUX Node Extension** | RJ45-based sensor nodes (temperature, vibration) connected via RS-422/5 V bus |

Example command:

`OUTP:STAT:PYLD ON; MEAS:VOLT:PYLD? `

→ A single SCPI line can turn on the payload power and measure voltage simultaneously.

The Ethernet-enabled design allows seamless integration into laboratory setups
and open-source mission control frameworks, while maintaining precise timing and safety isolation.

---

### 🧩 Maker Background — From WIZnet Contest to Space Simulation

The lead developer, **Nico Maas**, is not only a DLR engineer but also an active **WIZnet community maker**.
He participated in the **WIZnet Ethernet HAT Contest 2022**,
where he demonstrated an **Ethernet-Connected Environmental Sensor**
using RP2040 + W5500 hardware — the same core technology later used in the MSMSv3 simulator.

🔗 Related projects:

WIZnet Contest 2022 submission

[GitHub repository](https://github.com/nmaas87/wiznet-rp2040-sensor)

[Hackster.io project page](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/rp2040-ethernet-connected-environmental-sensor-33b4ae)

After the contest, Nico continued developing the **apex** experiment series —
transforming his maker-grade Ethernet control platform into a **space-qualified simulator**
used for DLR missions.

🔗 Related builds and discussions:

[apex prototype](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/apex-00ec5c)

[apex Mk.II Science Camera Platform](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/apex-mk-ii-scp-science-camera-platform-fa31ab?f=1)

[MSMSv3 – Rocket Service Module Simulator](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/msmsv3-a-rocket-service-module-simulator-c0041f)

[Framework community discussion](https://community.frame.work/t/sounding-rocket-service-module-simulator/20010/24?page=2)

This journey—from a community hardware contest to professional aerospace deployment—
perfectly demonstrates how open Ethernet technology can scale from **Maker labs to mission-critical systems**.

---

### 🌕 Real-World Applications

The **MSMSv3** and **MRMSS** systems equipped with W5500-EVB-Pico
have been used to support several flight campaigns:

**MAPHEUS-10 (2021)** – DLR microgravity sounding rocket mission

**Astrobotic Peregrine Moon Lander (2024)** – DLR M-42 radiation detector payload simulation

**Suborbital Express and CubeSat payload testing**

In these missions, the W5500-EVB-Pico handled Ethernet-based control, RS-422 telemetry simulation,
and real-time safety monitoring within DLR’s portable Mission Control System.

---

### ✨ Conclusion

WIZnet’s **W5500-EVB-Pico** proves that maker-friendly Ethernet hardware
can power **professional aerospace-grade systems**.
Within DLR’s rocket simulator, it enables high-speed, deterministic communication,
integrated SCPI control, and safe automated payload testing.

This project highlights how **open hardware** and **Ethernet-based IoT design**
can extend far beyond typical applications—
from DIY sensor nodes to **spaceflight-supporting simulation systems**.

![](https://maker.wiznet.io/upload/ckeditor5/197936432%5F1761813820%2Epng)

Korean Ver

## 🛰 W5500-EVB-Pico, 독일항공우주센터(DLR)의 로켓 시뮬레이터에 탑재되다

#### — Maker로부터 Aerospace로 확장된 WIZnet Ethernet 기술의 여정

---

### 🚀 개요

독일항공우주센터(DLR)의 Microgravity User Support Center(MUSC)에서는
소형 로켓 및 달 탐사 임무용 페이로드 테스트를 위해
**apex MRMSS (Multi-Role Mission Support System)**를 개발했습니다.

이 시스템은 로켓의 전력·신호·통신 환경을 지상에서 완벽히 재현하는
**MSMS (Multiple Service Module Simulator)**를 포함하고 있으며,
최신 버전인 **MSMSv3**는 **WIZnet의 W5500-EVB-Pico**를 핵심 제어 보드로 사용합니다.

**DLR Microgravity User Support Center의 apex MRMSS 내부. W5500-EVB-Pico가 탑재된 MSMSv3 보드가 통합되어 있다.**

---

### ⚙ W5500-EVB-Pico의 역할

MSMSv3는 실제 로켓 서비스 모듈(SM)의 전기적·통신적 인터페이스를 시뮬레이션하는 장비입니다.
이 장치는 로켓 페이로드의 **전원 공급, RS-422 통신, 신호 제어**를 모두 가상으로 구현하여
비행 전 지상 테스트를 수행합니다.

W5500-EVB-Pico는 이 시스템의 **두뇌(MCU)**로서 아래 기능을 수행합니다.

| 역할 | 설명 |
| --- | --- |
| **Ethernet 제어** | 하드웨어 TCP/IP 스택(W5500)을 통해 안정적 이더넷 통신 구현 |
| **SCPI 프로토콜 지원** | LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python 등 실험 장비와 실시간 명령 송수신 |
| **TM/TC 인터페이스** | RS-422 기반 텔레메트리/텔레커맨드 송수신을 Ethernet-UDP로 중계 |
| **전원 및 안전 관리** | 전원 공급 모듈(DPS) 제어, 과전류 차단(0.437ms), E-Stop 통합 |
| **AUX 확장 노드** | RJ45 기반 센서 확장 모듈 연결 — 온도/진동 데이터 실시간 전송 |

명령 예시

`OUTP:STAT:PYLD ON; MEAS:VOLT:PYLD? `

→ SCPI 명령 한 줄로 로켓 페이로드의 전원 공급 및 전압 측정을 동시에 수행할 수 있습니다.

---

### 🧩 개발자의 배경 — WIZnet Contest에서 시작된 여정

이 프로젝트의 개발자인 **Nico Maas**는 WIZnet 커뮤니티의 오랜 메이커이기도 합니다.
그는 **WIZnet Ethernet HAT Contest 2022** 참가자였으며,
당시 **RP2040 + W5500**을 활용한 **Ethernet-Connected Environmental Sensor** 프로젝트를 발표했습니다.

🔗 관련 링크

WIZnet Contest 2022 프로젝트 페이지

[GitHub 저장소](https://github.com/nmaas87/wiznet-rp2040-sensor)

[Hackster.io 게시글](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/rp2040-ethernet-connected-environmental-sensor-33b4ae)

이후 Nico는 동일한 WIZnet 하드웨어 철학을 기반으로,
우주 실험용 로켓 시뮬레이터 **apex 시리즈**를 발전시켜 나갔습니다.

🔗 관련 제작 기록

[apex 시리즈 소개](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/apex-00ec5c)

[apex Mk.II Science Camera Platform](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/apex-mk-ii-scp-science-camera-platform-fa31ab?f=1)

[MSMSv3 – Rocket Service Module Simulator](https://www.hackster.io/nmaas87/msmsv3-a-rocket-service-module-simulator-c0041f)

[Frame.Work Community Discussion](https://community.frame.work/t/sounding-rocket-service-module-simulator/20010/24?page=2)

이 여정은 ‘Maker 실험 프로젝트’에서 시작해
‘항공우주급 제어 시스템’으로 진화한 대표적인 사례로 평가받습니다.

---

### 🌕 실제 활용 사례

MSMSv3는 현재 다음 미션의 페이로드 시뮬레이션에 사용되었습니다.

**MAPHEUS-10 (소형 로켓, 2021)Astrobotic Peregrine Moon Lander (달 착륙선, 2024)DLR M-42 Radiation Detector Payload**
→ W5500-EVB-Pico가 포함된 MSMSv3가 PPS 신호, RS-422, 전원 제어를 담당.

---

### ✨ 결론

WIZnet의 **W5500-EVB-Pico**는
단순한 IoT 개발 보드를 넘어,
**실제 우주 임무 지원 시뮬레이터의 핵심 제어 하드웨어**로 사용되었습니다.

Maker가 만든 오픈소스 하드웨어가
DLR의 실험실을 거쳐 **우주를 향하는 로켓 준비 과정**에 쓰인다는 점에서,
이 프로젝트는 WIZnet 기술의 확장 가능성을 상징적으로 보여줍니다.

---

Source: https://maker.wiznet.io/bruno/projects/w5500-evb-pico-powers-dlrs-rocket-simulator/