Payloads
Ringo I's Payload
Ringo I carried a scientific payload that studied fluid flow through capillary tubes in the microgravity experienced at apogee. It aimed to determine the critical nozzle geometric parameters for spontaneously ejection of one or more droplets of water, in 100% (results from ground), and 5 to 1% of Earth’s gravity (flight apogee). It was awarded first place in the Payload Design Challenge at the inaugural 2022 Launch Canada Competition.
BIOME
Ringo II’s Payload takes inspiration from the ongoing NASA Dragonfly Mission and was the first step in a 5-year project to develop and test a deployable roto-copter drone for atmospheric and biological sampling. The first payload of this long-term project, Bioaerosol Investigation of Microbial Ecosystems (BIOME), underwent tethered deployment at apogee. While remaining tethered to the launch vehicle’s drogue chute, BIOME used an air sampling unit to filter and collect microbes from the lower troposphere for on-the-ground culturing and analysis. BIOME went on to win first place in the Payload Design Challenge at the 2023 Launch Canada Competition.