The Dutch CanSat competition: How 350 secundary school pupils compete to build the most innovative 'satellite' in a soda can.
- Paper number
IAC-08.E1.1.5
- Author
Mr. Roel Eerkens, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Eddie van Breukelen, ISIS - Innovative Solutions In Space B.V., The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Dr. Chris Verhoeven, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Alex Fitié, Delft University of Techonology (TU Delft), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Sten Vollebregt, Delft University of Techonology (TU Delft), The Netherlands
- Year
2008
- Abstract
A CanSat is a ’satellite’ inside a soda can, built by students or secondary school pupils for educational purposes. CanSats are usually launched on amateur rockets and the similarities between a real satellite and a CanSat are many, which makes them ideal to introduce the builders to satellites. The idea for a CanSat competition for hands-on space education originated in the US and Japan and since then more and more countries have started their own national CanSat competition.
The Dutch competition started in 2006–2007 as an initiative of TU Delft with a pilot competition in which 6 teams participated. This was such a success that this year the CanSat competition 2007-2008 includes over 350 pupils from 46 teams throughout the Netherlands. Each team has to fulfill two missions: an obligatory primary mission and a free of choice secondary mission. The primary mission is to determine the altitude profile of the CanSat flight using the measurements received from pressure and temperature sensors. The secondary mission is completely up to the pupils as long as the mission does not interfere with the requirements. Some examples of this years secondary missions include: adding GPS capability to the CanSat, adding a crash-zone, releasing a mini-CanSat from the CanSat, adding a camera, etc. The paper will include many examples and images.
Throughout the entire competition, the pupils are guided by faculty, staff and students of the Delft University of Technology. The project management of the whole competition is done by ISIS - Innovative Solutions In Space BV for TU Delft. A team of three students does the day to day organization together with representatives of the faculties Aerospace Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Within the schools, the CanSat competition has been integrated as a practical part of the exam curriculum and the pupils therefore get good support from their teachers.
As intended from the start, the competition has aroused a lot of interest in space and in pursuing a space education at the faculties Electrical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. Through open days and presentations organized by the schools themselves and appearances in the media, most notably a very popular TV program for young children, the project has reached well over 300 000 Dutch children.
With the current initiatives for an international CanSat competition, the Netherlands is looking forward to send its best teams to meet fellow CanSat teams from countries all over the world.- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E1.1.5.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.