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During NASA’s SPEED Challenge, participants were asked to design a reliable ejection mechanism for high-altitude probes, a system operating in extreme conditions where safety, simplicity, and precision are key.
In this session, Fabien Chancel presents the award-winning Static Pressure Launch (SPL) concept, a simulation-led design that uses the natural pressure differential between sea level and the stratosphere to create thrust, without springs, compressed gas, or explosives.
Combining hands-on prototyping with CATIA’s MODSIM environment, the project demonstrates how integrated modeling and simulation can accelerate innovation, from LEGO mockups to fully optimized, 3D-printable systems. Beyond its technical achievement, the SPL project highlights the power of curiosity, cross-disciplinary design, and the human–AI collaboration that defines the future of engineering.
Fabien Chancel is an industrial designer and engineer driven by curiosity and a passion for exploring the intersections between science, technology, and imagination. Based in France, he specializes in simulation-led design and generative modeling using CATIA and the MODSIM approach. As a member of the CATIA Champions Program, Fabien was awarded first place in NASA’s SPEED Ejection Mechanism Design Challenge for his innovative concept Static Pressure Launch (SPL) — a pneumatic ejection system powered purely by atmospheric pressure differentials. His work bridges analytical thinking and creative exploration to craft elegant, efficient, and safe engineering solutions for the next generation of sustainable technologies.
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