Applications open for CanSat - Exploring Science, Space and Engineering through hands-on learning

The CanSat Malta Competition 2025–2026 was officially launched at the Esplora Interactive Science Centre, bringing together educators, students, and stakeholders to kick off the third edition of this innovative national STEM initiative. Organised by Esplora, the competition challenges students aged 14 to 18 to design, build, and launch a miniature satellite—known as a CanSat—that fits into the volume of a soft drink can.

Applications for the 2025–2026 competition will open today, the 15 October and will remain open until 28 November 2025. Applications can be submitted onine.

An online information session will be held on 21 October at 16:00 to support potential applicants and can be accessed online.

The CanSat construction and testing phase will take place between December 2025 and May 2026, with educator and student training scheduled along the way. The highly anticipated rocket launch will take place in April 2026, and the winning team will travel to the European Space Agency’s ESTEC facility in the Netherlands in June to participate in the “Space Engineer for a Day” experience.

Participating teams will receive a CanSat kit, up to €370 in funding for additional components, and continuous support throughout the project. This competition is funded through Xjenza Malta, and Esplora will provide training and guidance to educators, equipping them to lead their teams through this exciting challenge whilst coordinating the project.

Now in its third edition, following successful competitions in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, CanSat Malta continues to empower young people to explore space, science, and engineering through hands-on learning and real-world application.

Mary-Ann Cauchi, Senior Director of Esplora, celebrated the spirit of discovery and innovation. She remarked that “at Esplora we believe that great science is powered by creativity. CanSat brings STEAM to life: students’ prototype, test, fail forward, and try again; just like professional teams do. With guidance from educators and our team, participants gain the technical skills, and the mindset Malta needs for its next generation of innovators,” she said.