Course‑Contest · Guest country: Italy
CanSat World Contest 2027
Design, build and launch your Self-Propelled Ground Displacement CanSat (DeTerrA): a rover that must survive the drop, protect its crew member and navigate autonomously to its ground station.
Registration: September 25 – November 6, 2026 · Mexico City
Countdown
Registration opens in:
Mexico City time (UTC−06:00).
The 2027 mission
DeTerrA CanSat
For this edition, the CanSat World Contest goes one step beyond the classic CanSat and adds a mobile robotic system: the Self-Propelled Ground Displacement CanSat (DeTerrA). After being released in free fall, the satellite must protect its crew member —a chicken egg—, transmit real-time telemetry, and travel autonomously to its ground station.
This new format simulates real robotic surface-exploration scenarios, where surface-contact vehicles carry, deploy and activate scientific instruments.
Calendar
Important Dates
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Sep 25 – Nov 6, 2026
Registration
From Friday, September 25 (9:00 AM) to Friday, November 6, 2026 (11:59 PM).
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Nov 16, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Stage 1 · Conceptual Design Review (CoDR)
From Monday, November 16, 2026 (9:00 AM) to Saturday, January 2, 2027 (11:59 PM).
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Jan 11 – Feb 5, 2027
Stage 2 · Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
From Monday, January 11 to Friday, February 5, 2027 (11:59 PM).
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Feb 15 – Mar 12, 2027
Stage 3 · Critical Design Review (CDR)
From Monday, February 15 to Friday, March 12, 2027 (11:59 PM).
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Mar 22 – Apr 2, 2027
Stage 4 · Acceptance Tests
From Monday, March 22 to Friday, April 2, 2027 (11:59 PM). Video, maximum 2:30 minutes.
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Apr 30, 2027
RAM I submission (Phase A)
Saturday, April 30, 2027, 6:00 PM.
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May 22, 2027
Stage 5 · Certification and Launch
Saturday, May 22, 2027, at Ciudad Universitaria. RAM II (Phase B) submission the same day, 7:00 PM.
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May 24, 2027
Results
The top ten teams will be announced through PEU's social media.
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May 24, 2027
Awards Ceremony
Monday, May 24, 2027, 9:00 AM, at UNAM's facilities.
Before you start
Recommendations for teams
Select a category to filter.
- Design with impact in mind. The satellite must survive a free fall and keep critical functionality afterward: electronics, battery, rover, communication and power switch must all keep working after impact.
- Watch mass, volume and center of mass. Check regularly that the satellite meets maximum dimensions, allowed mass and center-of-mass position; don't wait until certification.
- Make the master switch reliable. It must be reachable without removing components or using tools.
- Plan your power system carefully. Size the battery considering sensors, processing, communications, the rover and, if attempted, video. Leave margin for waiting time, delays and testing.
- Protect connections and components. Use proper mechanical fastening, secure connectors and strain relief.
- Test communications ahead of time. Check range, frequency, transmission stability and interference; have backup plans.
- Don't rely on a single successful test. Repeat tests and document results before considering a subsystem validated.
- Design for inspection and repair during development. Keep access to key components for controlled adjustments.
- Don't attempt the extra mission before finishing the main one. Live video is optional; first secure egg survival, telemetry, mobility and communication.
- Keep the ground station organized. It should be operable by a single team member, with everything organized and documented.
- Prepare the ground station operator. They must interpret data, spot failures and answer the judges' questions without relying on improvised instructions.
- Practice egg integration. Practice with eggs of similar mass so you can do it in under 15 minutes without damaging the payload.
- Use checklists. Before every test and before launch: battery, switch, sensors, communication, fastening, mass and egg condition.
- Manage risk from day one. Identify possible failures (egg breakage, loss of communication, insufficient battery, etc.) and define preventive actions.
- Buy components ahead of time. Consider shipping times, customs and the availability of spare parts.
- Seek sponsorships early. Reach out to universities, companies or alumni from the start with a clear proposal.
- Plan your trip to Mexico City early. Review flights, lodging, local transportation, travel insurance and budget from the earliest stages.
- Start visa procedures early. If any member needs a visa, don't wait until you're selected for the final stage.
- Book lodging close to the venue. It reduces the risk of delays and makes logistics easier for the team.
- Book flights and lodging in advance. Better prices, availability, and time to plan around luggage restrictions.
- Take part in the extra activities. PEU's forums, sessions and talks are part of the learning experience.
- Don't let knowledge concentrate in one person. The whole team should be able to explain and defend the design.
- Prepare technical answers. Practice clear, concise, well-founded explanations for the reviews and the launch.
- Don't hide failures: analyze them. Identifying, documenting and fixing them shows technical maturity.
- Don't improvise on launch day. That day is for verifying, certifying, operating and documenting —not redesigning.
- Keep evidence of the whole process. Photos, videos, logs and telemetry captures are key for the RAM report.
- Prioritize safety and responsibility. No technical solution should compromise anyone's safety.
- Remember the point of the contest. It's a learning experience in engineering, creativity and collaboration.
Resources
References
Guide to Producing Documentation for a Space Mission
PDF in Spanish.
Technical reportCanSat-type Satellite Prototype for Testing
PDF in Spanish.
Technical reportPEU Internship Report: Design and Construction of a Canned Satellite
PDF in Spanish.
Technical reportFinal Technical Reports · CanSat UNAM 2013 RUE Contest
PDF in Spanish.
Technical reportFinal Technical Reports · CanSat UNAM 2014 RUE Contest
PDF in Spanish.
Mission Guide · CanSat World Contest 2027
Available September 25, 2026, together with registration.
Ready to launch your team?
Write to us if you have questions about registration, the Mission Guide, or any stage of the contest.