Payload · 2025 · Launch Canada

Sparrow

A 360-degree camera paired with a recovery beacon, flown on Nimbus. Won first place in the Payload Challenge at Launch Canada 2025.

Flew on: Nimbus
Result: 1st, Payload Challenge

The payload

What it did.

Sparrow paired a 360-degree camera with a recovery beacon: full-flight footage in every direction, plus a way to find the airframe faster after it lands. It flew on Nimbus and won first place in the Payload Challenge at Launch Canada 2025.

Sparrow payload assembly on its display base: 360-degree camera, recovery beacon, and SRAD electronics in an open aluminum frame.

Gallery

In the field.

Sparrow standing on its base, plugged in and charging. — Charging the night before launch.

A team member at the bench with Sparrow, a laptop, and SRAD boards wired for testing. — Debugging last-minute integration issues before flight.

Top-down view of Sparrow on the workbench surrounded by SRAD PCBs, laptops, and test gear. — Verifying CAN bus communication across the SRAD stack.

360-degree camera view from Sparrow in flight: cloud deck and blue sky through the circular lens. — Footage from the 360-degree camera during flight on Nimbus.

All payloads Magpie

Build the next one

We hire first years.

We hire people who have never touched a rocket. Come ready to learn. We'll teach the rest.

Find us at Facultyfest on August 31, 12:30 to 17:00, or Clubsfest on September 14, 16:30 to 19:30 on the JHE field. Applications close September 18. You don't need to be an engineer: we need people on operations as much as on airframe.

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