The UCI CanSat team is a prominent representation of the University of California, Irvine's commitment to pushing the boundaries of student-led engineering projects. Comprised of a dedicated and dynamic group of students, the team participates in the International CanSat Competition each year to hone their engineering skills. This competition hosted by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) provides an opportunity for us to experience the entire development cycle of a complex engineering project – from conceptual design through integration and testing, to real-world operation and post-mission summary. It not only offers an avenue to apply theoretical knowledge but also propels UCI's engineering students into real-world scenarios that mimic the challenges faced by professionals in the industry.
UCI CanSat
Summary
Current Work / Recent Updates
This past June, our 2025-2026 team participated in the final launch and achieved 4th in the United States and 11th in the world!
Since then, our 2026-2027 engineers have been hard at work researching and brainstorming new components and ideas according to this year's CanSat Competition guidelines. We have begun our preliminary designs for both the payload and container of this year's CanSat, which includes many interesting new features and missions, such as a PocketQube for the payload.
Team Structure
Our team consists of 10 engineers and 2 interns. Due to competition regulations, only the 10 engineers may have direct contribution towards the submitted CanSat project, while our Mechanical and Electrical Interns work hard to develop their technical skills to apply on the following year's CanSat. The team is split into 3 subteams, each with a lead and general members, all led by the Project Manager.
Mechanical Subteam
- Design, fabricate, assemble, and test the CanSat’s structural and mechanical systems, including descent control mechanisms.
- Perform design iteration using SolidWorks and FEA simulations
- Manufacture and test prototypes through 3D printing and assembly, including hands-on lab work
- Complete seamless system integration with electrical components, and final testing in preparation for competition
- Conduct environmental testing, including vacuum, thermal, vibration, and drop tests
Electrical Subteam
- Design and develop custom PCBs, emphasizing efficient layout, component selection, and power management
- Select appropriate batteries and power components to ensure reliable performance across all sensors and mechanical systems
- Test and troubleshoot wireless communication systems, including data transmission and antenna performance
Controls Subteam
- Develop embedded software systems for CanSat, including the Ground Station, Flight Software, and Test Benches
- Design and implement a Ground Station to communicate with the CanSat, send commands, and display incoming data
- Partner with the electrical team to develop test benches for validating PCB functionality and system performance