CanSat Competition 2025: Engineering in a Can

Over the past few months, we have been taking part in the CanSat competition, which culminated in the launch day on the 19th of March. The competition was long but immensely satisfying, and we have all learnt many skills through the process.

Our task was to make a functioning satellite that would take readings as it was dropped from 300m in the sky, all in the volume of a small drinks can. For this, we had to design the can, using computer-aided design, code all the different sensors we were using, join all the electronics together, and design and build the parachute. Each team member had specific tasks to do to ensure we got the can functioning by the deadline.

Of course, we didn't and still don't have the skills to do this alone, and so we contacted various organisations to ask for support. The University of Edinburgh's rocketry society, Endeavour, was particularly helpful, offering support, helping us mount the parachute and even 3D printing the can for us. Additionally, we received a tour round the University campus – it was exciting to see where this project could lead us.

We also received crucial support from Prof Mathini Sellathurai and her team at Heriot Watt university who packaged and provided support with the electronics and ensured it would fit inside the can. We must also give a special mention to Maira Ratnarajah (Computer Science UoE) who supported the team in providing the code for the transmitter, one of our former students and previous CanSat competitor.

It was a great relief to find the weather perfect for the launch day: sunny, not too windy and only marginally cold. We spent around an hour preparing the can, setting up the radio receiver, testing the data collection and hastily taping it up, before we walked to the launch site, where the rockets were waiting. The cans were loaded, the countdown was shouted eagerly and suddenly the rocket was out of sight. Squinting up at the sky, we searched for our can until we saw it, floating down, supported by its parachute. After no time at all it was on the grass (still in one piece!), and we had our pressure, temperature and carbon dioxide readings – a complete success! Additionally, we were given a tour of the airplanes and gliders at the airfield, which was a satisfying end to the experience.

As well as having a brilliant time launching the CanSat, we also learnt many useful skills – we all had a role to play, even if it was a small one, in order to get our can running. Some people specialised in coding, others in electronics, and others in outreach. We learnt the importance of working together as a team, but also that we will always need extra help and support for projects like these – it is impossible to complete them by ourselves. CanSat was an arduous process, yet ultimately extremely rewarding.

Written by Clara (U5)