Join CanSat 2023-2024
Can you create a satellite as small as a soda can? CanSat is back for another school year, challenging teams of high-school students to fit the key components of a satellite in the volume of a can. Find out if your country holds a National Competition and take up the challenge! National winning teams will join a very special European gathering organized by ESA: 'Space Engineer for a Day’. Visit our brand-new CanSat website.
About CanSat
A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drinks can. The challenge for the students is to fit all the major subsystems found in a satellite, such as power, sensors, and a communication system, into this minimal volume. The CanSat is then launched by a rocket up to an altitude of approximately one kilometre, or dropped from a platform, drone, or captive balloon. Then its mission begins. This involves carrying out a scientific experiment and/or a technology demonstration, achieving a safe landing, and analysing the data collected.
Every participating CanSat team will have to accomplish two missions: a mandatory primary mission to transmit and collect air temperature and pressure data at least once a second by radio communication; the secondary mission is completely open to the students’ imagination. Your secondary mission could be exploring a new planet, analysing Earth’s atmosphere, developing a rover to fit inside the CanSat, or anything else you can think of.
National Competitions
Most ESA Member and Associate States host national CanSat competitions every year. Once you have found your country page, understand what the deadlines are to apply. Once your application is ready, apply directly through the ‘apply here’ button. Participation is open to*:
- Teams of 3-6 young people aged 14 to 19 years old.
- You must sign up with a teacher or mentor.
- Participants must be from an ESA Member State, Canada, Latvia or Slovenia.
- Students enrolled at a post-secondary/tertiary institution are not eligible to apply.
*Please be aware that further requirements may be imposed by your National Organiser.
Space Engineer for a Day
Starting in school year 2023-2024, the national winning teams will be welcomed by ESA at its ESTEC site in the Netherlands for a brand-new European learning and celebration event: ‘Space Engineer for a Day’, to take place on 17-18 June 2024. With this event we will celebrate your achievements and your team will experience first-hand what is the day-to-day life of an engineer working in the space business.
You will be able to:
- Explore out-of-this world facilities and laboratories
- Meet space experts
- Present your work to a panel of experts in a poster session
- Enjoy social and space-themed activities
- Network with the other national winning teams in a truly international environment.
ESA is looking forward to welcoming you in June!!
For more information visit cansat.esa.int and contact us at cansat@esa.int.
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