Canadian university teams design, build, and test an operational science satellite over two years — supported by industry mentors.
The 7th CubeSat Design Challenge completed in June, 2026.
At this point, the CSDCMS is not preparing for a future CubeSat Design Challenge, and we encourage universities to pursue opportunities through the Canadian Space Agency's FAST or CUBICS initiatives.
A CubeSat is a standardised small satellite structure. In the CubeSat Design Challenge, teams design and build a 3U CubeSat which measures 10×10×34 cm, roughly the size of a 2-litre carton of milk. Despite their small size, CubeSats are capable of conducting real science missions, and have been deployed by universities, space agencies, and commercial operators around the world.
The CSDCMS CubeSat Design Challenge tasks Canadian university teams with designing and building a 3U CubeSat, following the same engineering disciplines and documentation requirements used in real space programs.
The CubeSat Design Challenge takes place over two school years, beginning in September. Teams work through a simplified space mission lifecycle, developing both technical and professional skills along the way. The programme includes educational lectures and mentorship, hands-on workshops, and a comprehensive design review in front of space industry professionals.
A highlight of the programme is access to the David Florida Laboratory spacecraft test facility in Ottawa, where teams conduct a simulated launch — testing their satellite under realistic conditions.
Each team defines their own science mission, drawing on their university's research interests and capabilities. Past missions have spanned Earth Observation, atmospheric science, technology demonstration, and communications experiments.
Teams are evaluated not only on technical execution but on mission design rationale, scientific value, documentation quality, and their ability to present their work to the review panel.
Participating teams benefit from mentorship by working professionals from Canada's space sector.
The CSDCMS has a long-term goal of launching the winning CubeSat(s) into actual orbit. This is not merely a simulation — it is a genuine stepping-stone toward real spaceflight for Canadian university students.
The CubeSat challenge follows the same structured phases used in real space programme management.
Teams define science objectives, select instruments, and establish technical requirements. Lectures introduce space systems engineering fundamentals.
Architecture and subsystem design. Teams produce documentation and present a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) to industry judges.
Hands-on workshops and component procurement. Detailed schematics, software architecture, and Critical Design Review (CDR).
Fabrication, assembly, and integration of all subsystems. Mentors from industry provide hands-on guidance throughout.
Environmental and functional testing to verify all systems meet mission requirements.
Final event at the David Florida Laboratory spacecraft test facility in Ottawa. Teams demonstrate their completed CubeSat to judges and industry guests.
End-to-end satellite design including power, communications, attitude control, thermal management, and payload integration.
Mandatory documentation mirrors real industry requirements — requirements traceability, design reports, test procedures, and interface control documents.
Design reviews before industry judges develop the ability to defend technical decisions and communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently.
Mentorship from professionals at Canada's leading space companies creates networks and career pathways into the industry.