Design it. Build it.Launch it!
Canada's premier satellite design competitions — inspiring secondary school and university students to reach for the stars through hands-on STEM challenges.
From pop-can satellites to full CubeSats bound for orbit — we offer hands-on space competitions for every level of student.
CanSat Design Challenge
Teams design and build a satellite the size of a soda can. Beginner teams deploy from drones at 120m; Advanced teams launch by rocket to 1km and transmit live data to the ground. Top team represents Canada at the European Space Agency's international CanSat conference.
CubeSat Design Challenge
University teams design, build, and test a real operational science satellite over two years — with design reviews, hands-on workshops, mentorship from industry professionals, and a simulated launch at the David Florida Laboratory spacecraft test facility in Ottawa. Our goal: orbit.
CSDCMS competitions are built on the same engineering disciplines used in real space missions.
Real Science
Students conduct genuine scientific missions — measuring air temperature, pressure, and custom experiments of their choosing as their CanSat satellite descends.
Engineering Skills
Electronics, programming, systems design, and structural engineering — students experience elements of a real space project lifecycle.
Teamwork
Multi-disciplinary teams combine STEM knowledge with communications and leadership skills that mirror real space industry collaboration.
Communications
Advanced CanSat teams prepare reports and give presentations in front of a panel of judges.
Educational Outreach
Advanced CanSat teams give presentations to younger students, to inspire them to pursue STEM studies.
Global Stage
The Advanced CanSat winner represents Canada at an international secondary-school CanSat conference in the Netherlands, hosted by the European Space Agency.
Support Canada's Space Education
The CSDCMS is a registered Canadian charity (CRA #806534806 RR0001). Donations support free CanSat kits, tutorials, and events.