Gene Nowaczyk's Piperr-8 is a flying laboratory capable of ferrying science experiments higher than 100,000 feet.

Infographic: Charlie Kinks/WIRED

1. Antennas receive GPS signals and transmit telemetry data to Earth.
2. X-ray ion chamber measures solar x-rays passing through the rocket for scientific purposes.
3. Barometric sensors track altitude.
4. Accelerometers monitor the rocket's orientation in space.
5. Flight control computers deploy parachutes based on altitude and acceleration.
6. GPS transmits the rocket's position to the data acquisition system.
7. Data acquisition system collects and stores internal and external temperature, acceleration, location, time, and system voltage.
8. Telemetry control board receives information from the data acquisition system. It filters out GPS, temperature, time, and system voltage for transmission.
9. Camera 1 shoots HD video.
10. Camera 2 overlays telemetry data on a video image for transmission.
11. Transmitter relays data packets down to mission control.
12. Batteries power the electronics.
13. Payload platforms house electronics for experiments to be conducted in flight.
14. Storage capsules hold any payload items that may need additional protection.
15. Parachutes (two each for payload/cargo bay and booster) are attached to multi-strand bungee cords.
16. Booster separates at apogee and returns to ground via small parachutes.