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).
Which category is right for your team? Read this diagram which highlights the main differences between them.
The winner of the Advanced category will represent Canada at the European Space Agency's International CanSat Competition, to be held in Europe in June, 2023!
What are the rules?
Download and read the Rules and Requirements document.
Results from past Competitions
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2021: St. Thomas More Collegiate, from Burnaby, B.C.