Toronto Metropolitan University's Satellite Development Team
We're a group of TMU students who design and build small satellite payloads for the annual CanSat competition. Since the team started in 2006, we've learned by making prototypes, testing them, and figuring out what needs to change before launch. In 2026, we placed #1 in Canada.
We're a student design team at Toronto Metropolitan University, turning classroom concepts into working aerospace systems. Our CanSats combine sensors, microcontrollers, and custom structures in a compact payload built to meet strict size and weight limits.
From early prototypes to launch day, we test for reliable communication, live data transmission, and safe descent. We share that experience through workshops and student competitions that make space engineering more accessible.
TMU CanSat was founded and won first place in its debut competition, beginning our journey in satellite development.
The team earned third place at the CanSat competition in Abilene, Texas.
A fourth-place finish continued the team’s strong performance at the CanSat competition.
Learning from earlier challenges, the team returned to competition and secured sixth place.
More than a decade after our founding, TMU CanSat earned another first-place finish at the CanSat competition.
The team followed its 2018 victory with a second-place finish at the CanSat competition.
The COVID-19 pandemic paused competition, giving the team time to reorganize, strengthen its foundation, and prepare for a return.
Two consecutive Innovation Awards recognized our work within TMU’s design team community.
TMU CanSat placed first among Canadian teams and received the Advancement Award at TMU’s 2026 Night of Recognition, celebrating the team’s growth as a student group.
Practical workshops and student projects bring aerospace engineering to the wider community.
Students model loads, stress, and vibrations in aerospace components, exploring FEA fundamentals and modal analysis with ANSYS Mechanical.
ANSYS MechanicalA complete wireless telemetry link brings sensor data to life, introducing students to embedded systems and live data transmission.
XBee radios · Raspberry Pi · SensorsA CanSat prototype makes satellite concepts tangible, alongside practical experience with parametric CAD and programming.
Onshape · Arduino IDEThrough the Space Tech Through Education Initiative, teams of four to five students design, build, and launch a mini-satellite payload.
Payload packaging · System integration · Telemetry
Toronto Metropolitan University
Attn: TMU CanSat
Kerr Hall East - Room 40D
350 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON M5B 2K3
Canada
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