Climber Competition

From mechanical design to control systems, this challenge is all about building robotic climbers capable of ascending a vertical tether. Teams must combine precision, power, and adaptability to simulate the vehicles that could travel from Earth to orbit.

Climber Competition

From mechanical design to control systems, this challenge is all about building robotic climbers capable of ascending a vertical tether. Teams must combine precision, power, and adaptability to simulate the vehicles that could travel from Earth to orbit.

Climber Competition

From mechanical design to control systems, this challenge is all about building robotic climbers capable of ascending a vertical tether. Teams must combine precision, power, and adaptability to simulate the vehicles that could travel from Earth to orbit.

Engineering the Climb

The Climber Competition is the headline challenge of WSPEC. It tasks teams with building robotic climbers capable of ascending a vertical tether while transporting a payload using only stored electrical energy.

The heart of the system

As a critical component of the space elevator concept, climbers must be efficient, reliable, and capable of operating in extreme conditions over long distances. Their development involves challenges in robotics, materials, power systems, and control, making them a central focus in turning the vision of continuous, scalable space access into reality.

the challenge

Design, build, and operate a tether-climbing robot that

Ascends a vertical flat tether under its own stored electrical power

Ascends a vertical flat tether under its own stored electrical power

Ascends a vertical flat tether under its own stored electrical power

Carries a set of standardized payload cubes

Carries a set of standardized payload cubes

Carries a set of standardized payload cubes

Operates safely and reliably, either autonomously or under ground control

Operates safely and reliably, either autonomously or under ground control

Operates safely and reliably, either autonomously or under ground control

Climbers must complete a valid run to the top of the tether, carrying a minimum payload, and come to a stop under defined control conditions .

Technical Requirements

Rules & Parameters

Max total mass: 50 kg (climber + payload) Dimensions: 1m x 1m footprint, max 2m height Center of gravity: Must stay within ±100 mm of the tether (X/Y axes) Tether: Flat, 35 mm wide, 2 mm thick, para-aramid fiber

Accepted Technologies / Restrictions

Only stored electrical energy is permitted No chemical propulsion or aerodynamic lift Climber must stop automatically at the top and when input is lost Payload cubes and data-logging units (PlMU) provided by organizers

Environmental Conditions

Competition is hosted outdoors unless otherwise stated Climbers must function in ambient weather conditions No manipulation of the tether is allowed during installation

Rules & Parameters

Max total mass: 50 kg (climber + payload) Dimensions: 1m x 1m footprint, max 2m height Center of gravity: Must stay within ±100 mm of the tether (X/Y axes) Tether: Flat, 35 mm wide, 2 mm thick, para-aramid fiber

Accepted Technologies / Restrictions

Only stored electrical energy is permitted No chemical propulsion or aerodynamic lift Climber must stop automatically at the top and when input is lost Payload cubes and data-logging units (PlMU) provided by organizers

Environmental Conditions

Competition is hosted outdoors unless otherwise stated Climbers must function in ambient weather conditions No manipulation of the tether is allowed during installation

Rules & Parameters

Max total mass: 50 kg (climber + payload) Dimensions: 1m x 1m footprint, max 2m height Center of gravity: Must stay within ±100 mm of the tether (X/Y axes) Tether: Flat, 35 mm wide, 2 mm thick, para-aramid fiber

Accepted Technologies / Restrictions

Only stored electrical energy is permitted No chemical propulsion or aerodynamic lift Climber must stop automatically at the top and when input is lost Payload cubes and data-logging units (PlMU) provided by organizers

Environmental Conditions

Competition is hosted outdoors unless otherwise stated Climbers must function in ambient weather conditions No manipulation of the tether is allowed during installation

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2362 Nostrand Ave #4
Brooklyn NY 11210

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