Following two intense days of competition in the CanSat Ireland National Finals, a team of students from Confey Community College, Kildare, has today clinched the coveted national title. The CanSat Ireland competition is an ESERO Ireland collaboration, co-funded by the European Space Agency and Research Ireland and coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory.
The victory marks the end of a campaign that began in September 2024. All participants in this year’s competition have displayed incredible technological prowess, with judges lauding the expansive expertise on display from the teams of young scientists.
A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite developed in the size and shape of a soda can. A European Space Agency initiative, the competition fosters an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) careers by offering students a hands-on experience of a space-themed project. The multidisciplinary nature of the project ensures students are exposed to industry standards in a broad array of potential career paths.
In recent months, regional competitions have taken place across Ireland, in partnership with the Technological Universities in Dublin, Athlone, Limerick, Tralee, and Cork.
Regional winners gathered in Emo Court, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, on Thursday 1st May, and launched their mini-satellites in rockets to a height of over 350 metres. On Friday 2nd May, these national finalists presented their analysis, recordings and flight patterns to the judging panel consisting of experts from a range of STEM fields.
Congratulating Confey Community College, Alan Giltinan, project coordinator for CanSat Ireland said:
“Confey College can’t be praised enough for this achievement. Winning the National Final of the CanSat competition is no small feat. Year on year, the STEM literacy of the participating students seems to increase as rapidly as the technology they’re working with. The technical competency displayed by teams all over the country continues to surpass the expectations of the judges. These students represent Ireland’s STEM future, and I think it’s safe to say we’re in very good hands! .”
The students from Confey have been invited to attend the celebratory event, ‘Space Engineer for a Day’, at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in The Netherlands. The students will have the opportunity to explore ESTEC facilities and laboratories, network with space experts, and present their work to a panel of experts.
The CanSat competition will re-open in September 2025. Students or teachers interested in competing in the next iteration of the project are encouraged to visit the CanSat project page at esero.ie.
