The CanSat Design Challenge
for Secondary Schools
A CanSat is a simplified satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink can, and weighing between 300 and 350g. The CanSat is then launched by a rocket (or dropped from a helicopter) up to an altitude of approximately one kilometre. Then its mission begins, collecting air temperature and pressure data as it descends by parachute. Data is either stored on-board (Beginner category) or transmitted by radio (Advanced category), and is analysed after landing.
Teams must also design and implement their own secondary mission, of which the possibilities are only limited by the creativity of the students!
About the Canadian CanSat Design Challenge
The Canadian CanSat Design Challenge has two categories: Beginner, in which each CanSat stores the recorded data on-board; and, Advanced, in which each CanSat transmits the measured data by radio in real-time, to a receiving antenna on the ground (which each team also makes).
The winner of the Advanced category will represent Canada at the European Space Agency's International CanSat Competition, held in Italy in June, 2022!
The Canadian CanSat competition is based on the rules and requirements for the European Space Agency's international competition. Click here to download the 2021-22 ESA Rules.
Results from the 2021-22 Competition (so far)
The 2021-22 Advanced Category finals were held in Lethbridge, Alberta, on April 29 & 30. Due to extremely dry conditions, rocket launches were not possible, and the CanSats were dropped by helicopter.
Congratulations to Team Zephyr from Surrey, B.C., for being selected to represent Canada at the European Space Agency's International CanSat Competition, which will be held near Bologna, Italy, June 20-25, 2022!
Team Zephyr (l-r): Vhea He, Jessica Tang, Timothy Cai, David Liu, Kentarou Howard, Brian Zhou.
Results from the 2020-21 Competition
Congratulations to the team from St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby, B.C.! They have won the inaugural CanSat Design Challenge, and will represent Canada at the European Space Agency's international CanSat competition in October this year (which will be held online due to covid restrictions).
CSDCMS Manager Lawrence Reeves (left) presents the CanSat trophy to Eric Zhang and the team from St. Thomas More Collegiate: (l-r) Hongzip Kim, Samuel Cheng, Angelina Chen, Howard Cheng, and Joe Muise (team supervisor).