Gruyère Space Program

Same team, new challenges! 💪 We started with Gruyère Space Program as students, balancing our studies with hands-on experience building our #hopper, fine-tuning propulsion, and developing control algorithms from scratch. Now, as young professionals, we bring that same agility, resourcefulness, and expertise to a new frontier: #space #logistics. From navigating the complexities of project #Colibri to pulling all-nighters and celebrating hard-earned wins, we've grown together as a team. With that same energy and determination, we're ready to take on the future—one challenge at a time. PAVE Space SA is growing, and we’re looking for passionate people to join us. If you're ready to shape the future of space logistics, reach out! 🛰️ Platinum partner 🚀: Almatech SA Gold partners 🥇: VectorNav Technologies / Association des communes de Crans-Montana (ACCM) / JAVAD GNSS / Meili Technology SA / Alpin Mécanique Sàrl / SWISSto12 / Brütsch/Rüegger Tools / Kistler Group / Astrocast / FribourgCH & Fribourg Development Agency FDA #Space #Logistics #Startup #Aerospace #Innovation #Future #Tech #Teamwork #Industry #Orbital #Entrepreneurship #Growth #Hiring #Challenge #Success

Aboard the Gruyère Space Program (GSP) student-built rocket hopper, Colibri, is a JAVAD TR-2S GNSS OEM board. Colibri is GSP's bi-propellant vertical take-off and landing (VTVL) rocket for launcher reuse and interplanetary landers. With the TR-2S aboard, Colibri consistently maintained a 1cm fix throughout 100-meter flight, despite the harsh vibrations and dynamic flight conditions. The team's efforts led to Europe's first free-flying hopper. Congratulations to the team on their brilliant work! 🚀 Learn more about the project and our GNSS OEM solutions here - https://hubs.li/Q030ZY4S0

Want to join our adventure or know anyone who might be interested? Please check out this job! 🛰️

Nomination for the #International Vaud Enterprises #Award 🏆 We are thrilled to share our nomination by SWISSto12 as a standout partner in the #Swiss space ecosystem for the International Vaud Enterprises Award. Thanks to Chambre vaudoise du commerce et de l'industrie (CVCI) and Innovaud for capturing this moment. After the Gruyère Space Program, we are proud to continue our journey as PAVE Space, pioneering space logistic and in-orbit servicing. #Space #Innovation #Swiss #Technology #Mobility #InOrbit #Partnership

What is Gruyère Space Program? 🚀🧀 Gruyère Space Program (#GSP) is a #student-run organization based in the canton of Fribourg, focused on developing and flying the first student-built rocket #hopper. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way. Throughout the six years of our #association, we have been amazed by the regional willingness to #support our endeavours, both from individuals and companies. Among the partners who truly embody this support, the Canton of Fribourg stands out as a Gold Sponsor. Thank you to the Fribourg Development Agency FDA and FribourgCH for their support and to by the way studio for creating this clip. Long live La #Gruyère! 💪🇨🇭 Platinum partner 🚀: Almatech SA Gold partners 🥇: VectorNav Technologies / Association des communes de Crans-Montana (ACCM) / JAVAD GNSS / Meili Technology SA / Alpin Mécanique Sàrl / SWISSto12 / Brütsch/Rüegger Tools / Kistler Group / Astrocast / FribourgCH & Fribourg Development Agency FDA #Space #Innovation #Rocketry #Students #Engineering #Exploration #Aerospace #Teamwork #Inspiration #Fribourg #Dedication #Passion #Technology #Support #Achievement La Gruyère Tourisme

Free-flight campaign of our rocket hopper complete! 🚀 Over three consecutive days, Colibri completed eight #free #flights. These test flights took place in a field near Payerne Airport, thanks to the support of the swiss aeropole. ✈️ Starting small with 35cm hops, we gradually increased altitude and flight time to test our systems, culminating in Colibri's 105m flight. Of course, working with an #untethered #vehicle meant we followed slightly different procedures, maintained greater safety distances, and, naturally, took on greater risks. 🔥 We’re happy to report that despite all this testing, Colibri survived the campaign in pristine condition! ✨ Platinum partner 🚀: Almatech SA Gold partners 🥇: VectorNav Technologies / Association des communes de Crans-Montana (ACCM) / JAVAD GNSS / Meili Technology SA / Alpin Mécanique Sàrl / SWISSto12 / Brütsch/Rüegger Tools / Kistler Group / Astrocast / FribourgCH & Fribourg Development Agency FDA #Testing #Free #Flight #Risk #Rocket #Hopper #Test #Safety #Procedure #Systems

Want to hear how a slice of #Gruyère almost caused a #crash? 🧀 Remember the piece of #cheese we flew to 105m on Colibri? Did you notice its slightly undesirable effect during the flight? During descent, as horizontal speed built up to return to the pad, the #aerodynamic #torque from the piece of cheese caused Colibri to lose #roll control, as shown in this video 🔄 This loss of control is due to the limited control authority of the #RCS used for roll control. We knew it would be a limiting factor for windy test days or flights with high horizontal speed. This high roll rate led Colibri to miss the center of the pad by 40cm, marking the first time #Colibri ever missed touching down with all four legs on the landing pad! However, it also demonstrated how robust our #TVC control was, despite the high roll rate during this very #dynamic part of the flight! 🔥 Platinum partner 🚀: Almatech SA Gold partners 🥇: VectorNav Technologies / Association des communes de Crans-Montana (ACCM) / JAVAD GNSS / Meili Technology SA / Alpin Mécanique Sàrl / SWISSto12 / Brütsch/Rüegger Tools / Kistler Group / Astrocast / FribourgCH & Fribourg Development Agency FDA #Control #GNC #RCS #Robustness #Crash #Cheese #Landing #Accuracy #Control #Aerodynamics

Gruyère Space Program is more than just an association, it's a #team! 🚀 From part-time volunteers to those who pulled frequent all-nighters, every member has contributed to our success. #Colibri wouldn't have reached 100m without them! From late-night engine tests in the cold Gruyère winter to developing and testing our Guidance, Navigation, and Control algorithms on uMouche, their hard work made us the first student group to successfully fly a #rocket #hopper and safely land it! Two years ago, the Association des communes de Crans-Montana (ACCM) chose to support us, not only because of our project but because they saw the potential of our team. We’re deeply grateful to #ACCM for believing in us and supporting our student association, helping us confidently transition to our startup, PAVE Space SA 🏔 Platinum partner 🚀: Almatech SA Gold partners 🥇: VectorNav Technologies / Association des communes de Crans-Montana (ACCM) / JAVAD GNSS / Meili Technology SA / Alpin Mécanique Sàrl / SWISSto12 / Brütsch/Rüegger Tools / Kistler Group / Astrocast / FribourgCH & Fribourg Development Agency FDA Thank you to the team 🚀 Julie Böhning - Simon Both - Jérémy Marciacq - Lionel Isoz - Pierre Morin - Matthieu Gachet - William Cottier - Mattéo Berthet - Tudor Oancea - Florian Patiny - Rémi Galley - Emilien Guerry - Charles Roger - Paul Marchi - Maxime Risse - Tristan Carron - Enzo Marchou - Oscar Kail - Fabio Pelous #Colibri #Student #Success #Team #Association #Volunteer #Work #Accomplishment #Project #Journey

How #Colibri flies: 30-meter free flight explained! 🚀 Colibri’s flight is like balancing a pencil. The Thrust Vector Control (#TVC) tilts the engine, just as you move your hand to keep the pencil upright, while cold gas thrusters stop any spinning. The N2O/IPA engine's 1 kN thrust, adjustable between 25% and 125%, helps with precise altitude control. Sensors like #RTK GNSS, lidars, and an Inertial Navigation System (#INS) guide these adjustments, ensuring Colibri stays stable throughout the flight. They work like your eyes guiding your hand as you balance the pencil. Platinum partner 🚀: Almatech SA Gold partners 🥇: VectorNav Technologies / Association des communes de Crans-Montana (ACCM) / JAVAD GNSS / Meili Technology SA / Alpin Mécanique Sàrl / SWISSto12 / Brütsch/Rüegger Tools / Kistler Group / Astrocast / FribourgCH & Fribourg Development Agency FDA #Colibri #Rocket #Flight #TVC #Thrusters #Biliquid #GNSS #Lidars #INS #Aerospace #Engineering #Stability #SpaceTech #Guidance #Altitude