AIS Rotterdam Launches Its Own Can(Sat)!

Team “Flying Dutchcan,” chilling in the Artic Circle (photo: AISR).

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In looking for an interesting Group IV project for its IB Diploma students, the science department of the American International School of Rotterdam (AISR) turned to the European CanSat competition. AISR students submitted a proposal to the European Space Agency (ESA), in which they outlined a plan for completing a mission with a CanSat.

“The Flying Dutchcan,” the only team from The Netherlands and/or an international school, won an invitation to the 2012 European CanSat competition (sponsored by ESA and the Norwegian Center for Space-related Education).

What is a CanSat, you ask? A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink can. The challenge is to fit all the major subsystems found in a satellite, such as power, sensors and a communication system, into this minimal volume. The CanSat is then launched to an altitude of one kilometer by a rocket, and its mission begins: to carry out a scientific experiment and achieve a safe landing.

The Flying Dutchcan’s mission was to measure temperature, pressure, light intensity, and altitude on its descent. The team based its mission on the urbanization of society and the advent of rooftop gardening and solar power collection.

The CanSat was therefore designed to determine optimal heights for agriculture and solar power collection devices, based on the light intensity needed. Additional uses of data could include assessing UV light irregularities at different global locations, indicating breaches of the ozone later.

From December to April 2012 and under the guidance of science teachers Sanna Heinonen and Nina Markham, AISR’s Flying Dutchcan team designed, built, and tested a functional CanSat. Several trips to Delft University of Technology yielded additional support in programming, electronics, and CanSat mechanics. The students entered the project with no prior knowledge of CanSats. They emerged experts in programming, circuitry, sensors, parachute design and construction, and radio transmission. Furthermore, though ESA provided over 4,000 euros in travel and accommodation funding, the team successfully raised an additional 5,000 euros to cover its expenses. They organized and carried out a bake sale, T-shirt sale, a space-related “fun science afternoon” for K-5 students at AISR, and “Fun Run” (sponsored by the PTSA) from which funds were donated to the project.

The launch campaign took place last April at the Andøya Rocket Range in Andenes, Norway (within the Arctic Circle). There the students participated in presentations, final preparations, the launch, and data reporting. Though their initial launch was postponed due to technical difficulties, the Flying Dutchcan team coolly submitted their CanSat for a successful launch. How thrilling it was to see the launch, and receive the data transmitted to their laptop at the ground station!

Closer to home, team Flying Dutchcan also excited more than 200 elementary students about science—no mean feat.

Team Flying Dutchcan thanks Erik Schmidt, Chris Verhoeven, and Stefan Zauner from Delft Technical University for volunteering their time and expertise to enable our success in Norway.

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