2024 - 2025 Applications Are Now Closed
Unfortunately applications for the 2024 - 2025 year have closed. If you would like to learn more about the application process and the competition itself, we encourage you to visit the competition website at . In addition, feel free to email us at . We are excited to welcome new brilliant minds onto our team and hope you apply.
Feel free to sign up to our newsletter to get first hand information on what we have been working on and when new application spots open!
Join Our Newsletter
Pathway and Requirements
General Info For All Applicants
- Team Environment: Work in a close-knit team of around 10 Engineering members and approximately 5 Operations/Web Development members. Collaborate to achieve team goals and deliverables.
- Meeting Schedule: Attend weekly general meetings and subteam-specific meetings.
- Presentation Preparation: Engineering members are expected to present at the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).
- Competition Attendance: Attend the final competition in Virginia, if possible.
General Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.3 (exceptions may be made for highly skilled candidates)
- Commitment: Three-Quarter commitment (2024 Fall, 2025 Winter, 2025 Spring)
- Course Enrollmentt: Must enroll in 2-4 units of MAE 93 for school credit
- Personal Attributes: Personal Attributes: Strong work ethic, commitment to team goals, willingness to learn, strong writing, and communication skills.
Testimonial
Name 'Year
role
quote
Mechanical Pathway
Responsibilities
Design, fabricate, assemble, and test the mechanical structure, mechanisms, and descent control devices of the CanSat.
- Fall Quarter: Focus on creating the mechanical design using Solidworks, primarily working individually with weekly team meetings.
- Winter Quarter: Focus on 3D printing, manufacturing, and testing mechanisms. Attend lab sessions to manage prints, test, and assemble prototypes.
- Spring Quarter: Dedicate time to design iteration, testing, and finalizing the CanSat. Perform environmental tests including vacuum, thermal, vibration, and drop tests.
Requirements
- Recommended Majors: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
- Recommended Courses: ENGR 7A/B, MAE 106, MAE 52, MAE 189, MAE 195, MAE 30, MAE 80, MAE 130A/130B
- Skills: Proficiency in Solidworks (required), experience with 3D printing and manufacturing, knowledge of basic aerodynamics, leadership, and time management skills.
Electrical Pathway
Responsibilities
Develop the CanSat’s Electrical subsystem through Printed Circuit Board (PCB) development.
- Select appropriate power components to support all sensors and mechanical hardware.
- Design and develop custom PCBs, focusing on efficient layout, component selection, and power management.
- Manage PCB manufacturing, assembly, and testing.
- Test wireless data transmission and antenna performance.
- Coordinate with other teams to integrate electrical systems with mechanical and software components.
Requirements
- Recommended Majors: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering
- Recommended Courses: EECS 70A
- Useful Courses: EECS 70B, EECS 50 or 150, EECS 10
- Skills: Experience with PCB/electrical design programs, soldering, electrical troubleshooting, lab equipment usage (e.g., oscilloscopes), preferred previous electrical design, and manufacturing experience.
Testimonial
Name 'Year
role
quote
Testimonial
Name 'Year
role
quote
Embedded Software Pathway
Responsibilities
Develop software systems for CanSat, including Ground Station, Flight Software, and Test Benches.
- Design and implement a Ground Station to communicate with CanSat.
- Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams to test components using Arduino.
- Develop embedded systems for the Payload using microcontrollers like STM32 or ESP32.
- Perform integration testing to ensure functionality.
Requirements
- Recommended Majors: Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering
- Recommended Courses: COMPSCI 145, COMPSCI 147, EECS 20
- Skills: Proficiency in C/C++ Embedded Programming (required), familiarity with Git, experience with communication protocols (e.g., I2C), preferred radio communication experience.
Operations Pathway
Responsibilities
Support the UCI CanSat team through outreach, event management, and operations.
- Coordinate outreach programs to promote the team’s mission.
- Organize events, workshops, and presentations for the UCI community and sponsors.
- Assist in documentation, reporting, and communication tasks.
- Represent the team at university events and competitions.
Requirements
- Recommended Majors: Business Administration, Business Information Management; Engineering/ICS majors with enthusiasm for tech are welcome.
- Skills: Organizational and communication skills, ability to create promotional materials, collaborative mindset, finance management skills, preferred experience in outreach, event management, or operations.
Testimonial
Name 'Year
role
quote
Testimonial
Name 'Year
role
quote
Web Development Pathway
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and maintain the UCI CanSat team website.
- Ensure the website is mobile-responsive and optimized for various browsers.
- Collaborate with team members to gather content and align with the team’s brand.
- Implement security measures to protect the website.
- Regularly update the website with news, events, and team achievements.
Requirements
- Recommended Majors: Computer Science, Software Engineering
- Skills: Experience with web design frameworks (e.g., React), strong visual design skills, problem-solving abilities, familiarity with web standards and accessibility best practices, preferred experience in UI/UX design and web design for teams or organizations.