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: designed to capture 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, though its camera data was not recovered after the flight.

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.

View from the Nimbus avionics bay camera in flight, not from Sparrow: cloud deck and blue sky through a circular lens. — On-board footage from the Nimbus avionics bay. Sparrow's own camera data was not recovered.

All payloads Magpie

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