2024-2025 Applications are now open!
Please review the role descriptions below and complete the application located at THIS LINK by Friday, June 7th at 11:59PM, and we will get back to you in a timely manner. Please note that interviews will take place at the beginning of summer, and if accepted to the team, mandatory orientation and training will take place virtually over the summer.
If you want to learn more, we encourage you to visit the competition website at www.cansatcompetition.com. In addition, feel free to email us at cansatuci@gmail.com. We are excited to welcome new brilliant minds onto our team and hope you apply.
Work in a tight-knit team of 10 Engineering members and ~5 Operations/Web Development members. Attend weekly general meetings and subteam meetings. Engineering members only: Present at the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR). Attend the final competition in Virginia, if possible.
Work with Mechanical/Aerospace teammates to design, fabricate, assemble, and test the mechanical structure, mechanisms, and descent control devices of the CanSat. Fall Quarter is focused on creating the mechanical design in Solidworks. Most work is done individually in Solidworks with weekly mechanical subteam meetings. Winter Quarter is focused on 3D printing and manufacturing the CanSat, as well as testing the mechanisms. Team members attend scheduled lab times to start prints and test and assemble prototypes. Spring Quarter is devoted to design iteration and testing, as well as finalizing the CanSat for the competition. Most of the time is spent working on assembly and testing in the lab. Environmental tests including a vacuum test, thermal test, vibration test, and drop test are performed. .
Work on developing the CanSat’s Electrical subsystem through Printed Circuit Board (PCB) development. Responsibilities include: (1) Selecting appropriate batteries and power components to ensure optimal performance and support for all sensors and mechanical hardware (2) Designing and developing custom CanSat PCBs, focusing on efficient layout, component selection, and power management (3) Managing PCB manufacturing, assembly, and testing processes (4) Testing and troubleshooting wireless data transmission and antenna performance during Winter and Spring Quarter (5)Coordinating with team members to integrate electrical systems with mechanical and software components (6) Performing hardware testing and troubleshooting to identify and resolve issues in the design and assembly process.
Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams to develop various software systems for CanSat, including Ground Station, Flight Software, and Test Benches. Key responsibili (1) Designing and implementing a Ground Station (a control unit) for the CanSat to communicate with the CanSat, send commands to it, and display data received (2) Working with the mechanical team to test various components of the CanSat through Arduino code snippets (3) Collaborating with the electrical team to design a test bench to ensure the functionality of the CanSat PCB and components (4) Developing embedded systems for the Payload of the CanSat which will be based on an MCU such as STM32 or ESP32 (5) Coordinating with team members to test and debug issues (6) Performing integration testing to ensure functionality of the CanSat
The UCI CanSat Team is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Operation Member to support our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in promoting our mission, organizing events, and collaborating with team members for smooth operations. Responsibilities include: (1) Coordinating and manage outreach programs to promote the UCI CanSat team's mission and achievements (2) Organizing events, workshops, and presentations to engage the UCI community and potential sponsors (3) Collaborating with team members to ensure smooth operations and logistics during project phases (4) Assisting in documentation, reporting, and communication tasks (5) Representing the UCI CanSat team at university events, competitions, and other relevant platforms
We are seeking a creative and skilled Web Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, coding, and modifying our team's website, from layout to function, to create a visually appealing site that features user-friendly design and clear navigation. Responsibilities include (1) Designing and maintaining the UCI CanSat team website (2) Ensuring the website is mobile-responsive and optimized for various browsers (3) Collaborating with team members to gather content and ensure the website aligns with our brand and vision (4) Implementing security measures to protect the website from threats (5) Updating the website regularly with news, events, and team achievements (6) Providing training to team members on content updates if necessary
"As the team lead of UCI CanSat, I had the privilege of guiding our team through the challenging and rewarding process of designing, building, and launching a miniature satellite for the CanSat competition. This experience profoundly impacted us, providing not only invaluable practical engineering skills but also fostering a spirit of teamwork, innovation, and perseverance. Confronting real-world engineering challenges taught us the critical importance of adaptability, critical thinking, and meticulous planning. We worked closely together to navigate the project's complexities from its inception to the final deployment. This journey has been transformative, leaving a lasting imprint on my personal and professional growth. Additionally, the experience brought me lifelong friendships, people I will cherish long after my time with UCI CanSat has ended."
"CanSat is an invaluable experience that broadened my technical skills significantly. From mastering new technologies through designing the satellite's software to honing leadership abilities through team coordination and project management, every aspect of the endeavor pushed me to grow. Most importantly, tackling real-world problems within the project context not only deepened my understanding of engineering principles but also made me apply and deploy my technical skills effectively, preparing me for future challenges in the field."
"CanSat was my favorite engineering project experience during my time at UCI. I enjoyed the creativity involved in the design process and the hands on manufacturing and testing experience. Getting to experience an engineering competition and compete against great teams from around the world was very exciting. Although fast paced and stressful at times, I had a great time and learned a lot."
"CanSat was one of my best highlights during Senior year at UCI. From CAD to testing the prototype, every stage was full of challenges and unexpected surprises. We even melted the prototype a week before the competition! However, anything can be accomplished with a team full of ambitious individuals. Joining CanSat was more than just an engineering project; it was a journey of personal and collective growth. Join CanSat for an experience you won’t regret."
"Being on the team let me to gain hands-on experience with PCB Design and I was able to apply all the skills I learned in class in a real-world setting. The most important skill I learned is seeing what it’s like to collaborate in a team with multiple disciplines and learning how to communicate with each other."
Complete the application located at THIS LINK by Friday, June 7th at 11:59PM to apply for the 2024-2025 season
Requirements vary based on the subsystem. For more details, read the requirements of each pathway above
CanSat holds a weekly team meeting. This will be scheduled so everyone can attend without missing class. We also schedule engineering work time in 2 or 3-hour increments. These will be separated by subsystem (Mechanical, Electrical, Embdedded Systems). Expect to attend at least 1 session per week to work on hardware or software. You’re also encouraged to work independently when no sessions are scheduled. In general, please estimate 4 hours per week, per MAE 189 unit (most students take 2 units, or put in the equivalent hours).
Each year, the competition is held in Virginia.
Different pathways work on different parts of the CanSat. For more details, read the description of each pathway.