CanSat Portugal is an ESERO Portugal educational project, organised by Ciência Viva and the European Space Agency (ESA), aimed at all secondary school students in Portuguese schools.

This initiative challenges participants to work in teams to design and build a working model of a microsatellite (CANSAT) that has the same dimensions as a soft drink can. CANSAT must survive a launch from an aeroplane, drone, balloon or even a small rocket at an altitude of 1000 metres. The teams are also responsible for building their own parachute and for the satellite’s communications with its ground station.

The teams’ work will be judged on two main points: in relative terms, on how well they fulfil a common primary mission assigned to all participants; and in individual terms, on the creativity and scientific value of an extra scientific mission chosen by the team itself.

Every year, 15 teams are selected for the final competition. Registration opens in September / October 2024 and the final will take place in April / May 2025, at a location to be determined. The winning team will take part in an international ESA event.