Design It. Build It. Launch It.
CSDCMS

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 drone) 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 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.

 

What are the rules?

Here are the rules and requirements (Version 2) for the 2023-24 competition.

Here is the slide deck from the CanSat Requirements Review. The presentation is also on YouTube (not public, so email me for the link).

How Can I Attract Students At My School To Participate?

Why not download our promotional poster! Available in English and French.


English


Français

Still Want To Know More?

This brochure provides an overview and answers some questions you might have. Do you have any questions? Contact Us! We'd be happy to answer them!

 

Results from past Competitions

2023: Team Contrail, from Richmond Hill, ON.

Team Zephyr (l-r): Vhea He, Jessica Tang, Timothy Cai, David Liu, Kentarou Howard, Brian Zhou.2022: Team Zephyr, from Surrey and Burnaby, B.C.


2021: St. Thomas Mo
re Collegiate, from Burnaby, B.C.