Blue Origin Design-Build-Launch

Designed, integrated, and launched an acoustic levitator payload (2U form factor) aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket on missions NS-23 and NS-24, achieving approximately 3 minutes of microgravity levitation of metallic and polystyrene particles. The fully autonomous experiment ran without crew intervention during the microgravity window.

RoleDesign leadership and systems integration

HardwarePayload structure, PCB, sensors, and electronics packaging

MissionAcoustic levitation payload flown in microgravity

OutcomeTwo New Shepard mission flights and a complete build-to-flight story

Autonomous Software

Engineered fully autonomous experiment software in Python and C++ with OpenCV-based real-time particle tracking, eliminating any need for crew intervention during the ~3-minute microgravity window of the New Shepard mission profile.

Electronics Design

Designed custom PCB and electronics schematics in KiCad. Integrated Raspberry Pi and Arduino for sensor fusion and actuator control, delivering end-to-end electrical-mechanical-software systems integration.

Mechanical Design

Modelled external and internal payload structure in Fusion 360 to meet Blue Origin's structural, thermal, and mass specifications. Validated the design through FMEA analysis.

Project Management

Led project management for a cross-functional team over 2+ years, maintaining Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and Bills of Materials. Performed post-flight data reduction in Excel to analyze particle behavior in microgravity.

Project Media

Build details, team moments, and the payload itself.

Exterior of the payload — Exterior of the 2U payload enclosure designed to meet Blue Origin's structural and thermal specs.

Interior payload hardware — Interior view showing the acoustic levitator array, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and sensor wiring.

Payload schematic — Full electronics schematic designed in KiCad for sensor fusion and actuator control.

Payload state diagram — State machine diagram governing autonomous payload behavior through launch, microgravity, and descent phases.

Team celebrating the Blue Origin project — Team celebration after the successful completion of the Design-Build-Launch programme.

Flight Video

Microgravity Payload Footage

The project folder also includes a mission video file documenting the payload in action.

Open Video