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 Europe in June, 2023 (covid permitting).

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.

Register for the 2021-22 Competition!

Download the Application Form here! Deadline for application is October 1, 2021.

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).