Payload Challenge


Payload Challenge

The aim of project HEIDI is to design, test and manufacture a sounding rocket for the 2019 Spaceport America Cup next June in New Mexico, USA. This competition is the worlds largest university rocket engineering competition where students are challenged to engineer a rocket capable of launching a 4kg payload to a target altitude of 10000 feet with a reusable rocket. The 4 kg payload of HEIDI will be realised using three geometrical CubeSats (build volume of 10x10x10cm). Three independent ideas will be implemented guaranteeing maximum
scientific output. One is in planning at the HSLU. The other two are determined with the payload challenge.

The payload challenge starts on the 16th of December and every interested student can submit their proposal for an experiment until the 17th of February. Afterwards the best two proposals are selected and the winner will be announced on the 24th of February. Through this process we hope to find creative and interesting experiments with great scientific value and ultimately win in the category ”Payload” at the Spaceport America Cup.

Chances and opportunities

If your idea is one of the best two, you will be given a budget of CHF 400 to realize your experiment. You will have the opportunity to build your CubeSat at the ARIS hub and the Student Project House. The ARIS members come from various backgrounds and are motivated to help with their experience. In the Student Project House you will have access to 3D printers, laser cutters and a wide range of other tools. In the end, your experiment will compete for the award ’Best Payload’ at the Spaceport America Cup and the prize money of up to $750 will be yours if your experiment wins.

The requirements are also opportunities. The rocket will make its way up to 10’000ft and back. During flight the experiment will be accelerated up to 11 G and during the recovery it receives a shock when the parachute deploys. Make use of this extraordinary environment to perform exciting experiments.


Your experiment must fulfil various criteria, otherwise the payload either does not qualify for an award at the
Spaceport America Cup or it endangers the rocket during flight. The following criteria need to be fulfilled by
your experiment:

Download the requirements
Requirement 1

It shall fit inside a Volume of 96x96x92 and include the spacers (8×8 mm) in the corners of the volume (picture below)

Requirement 2

The experiment itself has to weigh 0.83 kg and be installed into a CubeSat for a total weight of 1.33 kg

Requirement 3

The power budged is 1200 mAh with 11.1 Volt (provided by the launch vehicle, no batteries are required in the CubeSats.) The voltage transformer shall be integrated in the experiment to meet your needs

Requirement 4

It shall use less current than 5 Ampere at any time

Requirement 5

The power outlet is given by a circular connector on one side of the cube

Requirement 6

An ”On” signal for the experiments power supply is provided, afterwards the system needs to be operational for at least 2.5h (due to possible delays at the launch pad)

Requirement 7

The boot procedure shall not exceed 2 minutes

Requirement 8

It shall store any generate data itself

Requirement 9

It shall work in a Temperature range from -10°C up to 80°C and should itself not exceed this range

Requirement 10

It shall work in a pressure range of 0.6 bar to 1.1 bar

Requirement 11

It shall withstand accelerations of up to 16G

Requirement 12

The centre of mass shall not be further away then 1cm from the central axis

Requirement 13

It shall not have moving parts and shall hold under vibrations

Requirement 14

Hazardous materials like lead, radioactive sources, explosives, etc. are forbidden

Requirement 15

All materials used shall fulfil standard commercial transportation regulations (including planes) or shall be able to be organised at the Spaceport America Cup

Requirement 16

No live or vertebrate animals are allowed in the experiment

The CubeSat is located in the upper part of the rocket.

It is embedded in the inner structure and surrounded by an outer shell. Thus, it will not be possible to accesses the atmosphere or use barometers.

It will be built into the rocket 16 hours before launch and cannot be accessed afterwards.

The CubeSat will be provided by ARIS and ensures a secure implementation into the rocket. There are small
mounting structures inside the CubeSat to attach the side plates, which in turn attach the CubeSat to a rack.
This structure cannot be altered but the rest of the side plates can be adjusted to suit your experiment.