LEVEL 1 · TROPOSPHERE · FOLLOW
Measure the first flight
Build and use inclinometers to make a credible estimate of maximum rocket height.
Mission Instrumentation
Measure what happens, turn flight into data, and progressively build instruments that help the agency understand and control its missions.
Role in the agency
Mission Instrumentation own measurement and sensing. The progression deliberately starts with a simple physical instrument, adds electronic logging, then moves towards analysis, weather sensing, live telemetry and recovery location.
One agency journey
All five teams work towards the same agency mission at each atmospheric level. The challenge changes from following a supplied method to creating missions from real requirements.
Level 1 · TroposphereFOLLOW
FIRST LAUNCH
Prepare and conduct the agency's first safe, measured water-rocket launch.
Level 2 · StratosphereCONTRIBUTE
IMPROVE THE LAUNCH
Build on the first launch and demonstrate evidence-based improvements.
Level 3 · MesosphereINVESTIGATE
TEST PILOT
Build and fly a more complex test vehicle and investigate performance, recovery and capability gaps.
Level 4 · ThermosphereCOORDINATE
WEATHER MISSION
Plan, resource and conduct a real environmental mission using interacting systems.
Level 5 · ExosphereCREATE
MISSION ON DEMAND
Translate an external requirement into a safe, reliable and repeatable mission with minimal teacher direction.
Mission Instrumentation — from Follow to Create
The team mission changes at each level, but always contributes to the same shared agency objective.
LEVEL 2 · STRATOSPHERE · CONTRIBUTE
Add electronic flight sensing
Use a Micro:bit, Raspberry Pi or suitable sensor platform to record acceleration and cross-check ground measurement.
LEVEL 3 · MESOSPHERE · INVESTIGATE
Create the Test Pilot app
Turn sensor data into an evidence-based assessment of what a test pilot experiences during flight.
LEVEL 4 · THERMOSPHERE · COORDINATE
Build the weather satellite
Collect comparable environmental data at ground level and at altitude using a calibrated sensor package.
LEVEL 5 · EXOSPHERE · CREATE
Create live telemetry and payload location
Provide useful live mission data and make sure valuable instruments can be found after landing.
Why the progression matters
Students earn capabilities. Teams earn independence. Early missions are deliberately scaffolded. As the team proves that it can plan, investigate, coordinate and make sound decisions, the scaffolding falls away.
At Exosphere the goal is not a harder worksheet. It is a team capable of taking a genuine mission requirement and working out what to do.