Standardizing Payload Integration for Microgravity
HEX System is Narravity’s standardized modular payload integration system, being developed to simplify how experiments are integrated and flown on suborbital rockets.
A repeatable approach to connecting unique experiments with flight opportunities.
Discuss Your ExperimentEvery experiment is different. Integration shouldn’t start from scratch.
Microgravity research involves more than securing a flight. Experiments must be assessed, configured, integrated, qualified, and prepared for the specific requirements of a launch vehicle and mission.
Narravity is developing HEX System to introduce a common payload integration approach, supported by defined requirements, interfaces, documentation, and mission-readiness processes.
A common interface between experiments and flight platforms.
Customer Experiment
Research hardware, instruments, sensors, and other experiments with unique scientific or commercial objectives.
HEX System
A modular integration system designed to accommodate experiment payloads through a more repeatable physical and operational approach.
Flight Platform
A suborbital launch vehicle with mission-specific integration, environmental, operational, and safety requirements.
Designed around repeatable experiment accommodation.
HEX System uses a modular payload integration concept intended to accommodate different experiment configurations while reducing repeated custom integration work.
Modular Configuration
Designed to support different payload arrangements and integration configurations for applicable suborbital missions.
Experiment Volume
The current development approach includes accommodation for experiments in approximately 2U to 4U volume configurations, subject to configuration and mission review.
Integration Efficiency
The design targets streamlined payload installation and scalable experiment capacity, with final capabilities dependent on validation and launch-vehicle configuration.
HEX is in development. Final dimensions, capacities, compatibility, and operational limits depend on engineering validation and mission-specific requirements.
Starting with suborbital microgravity.
Narravity’s initial HEX development focuses on suborbital missions and repeatable integration of research and commercial experiment payloads.
Passive Experiments
Passive payloads are a primary focus of the initial HEX configuration, subject to mission-specific qualification and acceptance.
Potential Active Experiments
Active experiments may be accommodated depending on their operating requirements, available launch-provider interfaces, and mission constraints.
Power and Triggering
The current development baseline anticipates battery and trigger-signal provisions from the launch provider. Availability and interface details require confirmation for each mission.
Recovery and Iteration
Where supported by the mission, recovery of experiment hardware can enable post-flight inspection, evaluation, and further development.
A more consistent mission process.
HEX is part of Narravity’s broader effort to standardize the path from experiment inquiry to mission closeout.
Requirements
Define experiment characteristics, interfaces, operating needs, and mission constraints.
Qualification and Acceptance
Review payload suitability, documentation, hazards, and applicable flight-provider acceptance requirements.
Integration and Readiness
Coordinate configuration, integration planning, readiness evidence, and mission handoffs.
Built around researchers, launch providers, and spaceports.
Researchers and R&D Teams
A clearer path for evaluating and preparing experiments for microgravity flight.
Launch Providers
A standardized payload integration approach designed to support repeatable customer accommodation and mission preparation.
Spaceports
Opportunities to develop consistent payload processing and qualification practices, with future certification approaches subject to development and applicable requirements.
Could your experiment be a fit for HEX?
We begin by understanding what you want to learn and what your experiment requires.
Useful Starting Information
- Research or test objective
- Experiment description and hardware status
- Approximate dimensions and mass
- Power, timing, and data requirements
- Materials and operating conditions
- Desired mission timing
Mission-Specific Review
Batteries, liquids, biological materials, chemicals, pressurized components, heating, moving parts, and other special characteristics require technical assessment.
Submission of an inquiry does not imply payload acceptance or flight qualification.
Building toward repeatable commercial operations.
Narravity is progressing HEX through engineering design, prototyping, qualification planning, and launch-provider integration activities.
System Definition
Develop the modular architecture, integration requirements, and mission interfaces.
Prototype and Qualification
Build and evaluate hardware against applicable technical, environmental, and integration requirements.
Commercial Mission Readiness
Progress toward initial suborbital commercial flight opportunities, with timing dependent on development and launch-provider readiness.
Development plans and flight schedules are targets, not guarantees of completed qualification or launch availability.
One integration philosophy. More opportunities over time.
Narravity’s longer-term vision is to extend standardized payload integration practices across additional mission configurations and future orbital applications.
Our immediate focus remains the development and validation of HEX for suborbital microgravity.
What do you want to learn in microgravity?
Whether you’re developing research hardware, evaluating a commercial technology, or exploring standardized payload integration for a flight platform, we’d welcome a conversation.
Contact Narravity