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CanSat The purpose of the CanSat project is to design a satellite that satisfies requirements for entry into the CanSat Competition organized by the American Astronautical Society (AAS), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the National Space Grant Consortia (NSGC), and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). This competition provides students with end-to-end lifecycle engineering experience, including conceptual design, fabrication and test, and launch. Participation in this two term project guarantees hands-on experience. While some requirements change every two years, there are recurring objectives. In order to attend, each team must have a CanSat roughly the size of a soda can. Also, during flight, the CanSat will need to record data. Past measurements include positioning and atmospheric characteristics. While collecting data, the CanSat must communicate with a ground station. All of this must be performed within mass, cost, and schedule constraints.
The competition and launches are annual and scheduled for early June. During the launch, CanSats are rocketed to 3,000 ft. Following deployment from the rocket, the CanSat automatically releases a parachute and glides smoothly to the ground. After recovery and data analysis, the competition concludes with a final presentation and awards for first, second, and third places.
For more
pictures, details, and the competition guide, please visit www.cansatcompetition.com. |
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