Students of the Faculty of Physics and Technology of KazNU Advance to the Critical Design Review Stage of the Global Aerospace CanSat Competition

Students of the Faculty of Physics and Technology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University have successfully advanced to the next stage of the international engineering competition CanSat Competition. The student team has entered the Top-40 teams worldwide, demonstrating a high level of engineering preparation and strong scientific and technical competencies.

According to the official notification from the competition organizing committee, the team has been granted the opportunity to proceed to the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage. Within this phase, participants are required to finalize the system design, prepare technical documentation, manufacture structural components, and conduct testing of the prototype satellite system.

The CanSat Competition is one of the most well-known international engineering contests in the field of aerospace technologies. The competition is organized with the support of professional aerospace organizations and aims to develop practical skills among students in designing satellite systems. As part of the challenge, participants must design and construct a miniature satellite the size of a soft-drink can capable of performing specific scientific and technical tasks during flight and landing. The competition consists of several stages, including conceptual design, critical project evaluation, prototype manufacturing, and system testing.

For the team from the Faculty of Physics and Technology, advancing to the Critical Design Review stage requires completing the development and testing of a physical prototype within a limited timeframe. Over the course of 16 days, the team must assemble the device, test its subsystems, prepare presentation materials, and present the project results to an international panel of experts. According to the competition regulations, the final presentations for the CDR stage will be conducted in an online defense format with the participation of international reviewers.

The implementation of this project is carried out with the active support of the faculty and department leadership. The Vice-Dean for Research and International Relations, who serves as the scientific supervisor of the project, as well as the Deputy Head and the Head of the Department of Electronics and Astrophysics, provide comprehensive academic and organizational support to the student team. Special attention is given to supporting international students of the Faculty of Physics and Technology participating in the project, including consultations on engineering solutions, assistance with laboratory work, and guidance in preparing project documentation.

Participation of KazNU students in the international CanSat Competition is of great importance for the development of engineering education and the training of young specialists in the fields of space technologies, electronics, and aerospace systems. Such projects enable students to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, develop skills in systems engineering, teamwork, and scientific research.

The project is also closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, participation in international engineering competitions contributes to SDG 4 – Quality Education, as it supports practice-oriented learning and the development of modern engineering competencies. Furthermore, the development of innovative aerospace technologies corresponds to SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, which focuses on strengthening scientific and technological capacity and promoting innovation. International collaboration among students and their participation in the global engineering community also reflect the principles of SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.

The successful advancement of the student team to the next stage of the competition confirms the high level of training of students at the Faculty of Physics and Technology and demonstrates the growing potential of the university in the fields of engineering and space research. The team is currently actively working on the development and testing of the satellite system prototype and is preparing to present its project at the next stage of the international competition.