EIAST Lauch Space Scientist Program For Emiratis

EIAST CanSat Electronic Object Soda Can

Attempting to groom local talent for the budding space industry of the UAE, the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has launched a new educational tool that gives pupils first-hand experience of how satellites operate.

CanSat, named after the can-sized satellites used for the project, is the first of its kind scientific experiment dedicated for school children that aims at simplifying space technology and make it a loveable and interesting subject for pupils.

“Our idea is to give students a glimpse of what space technology is and try to get their minds to think about space engineering as a field they can choose as careers. We don’t have too many professionals who are aware of the existence of such a field in the UAE,” said Ebrahim Al Qassimi, Project Manager at EIAST.

CanSat is an electronic object the size of soda can that simulates a real earth-observation satellite.

EIAST designed a competition to involve students in a real-time operation of a satellite.

“The programme involves students under the guidance of experts to operate the can-sized satellites and help measure temperature, altitude and GPS positions etc,” said Hessa Al Matroushi, a research assistant at EIAST, who was a ground station operator during the programme.

During the experiment the CanSat is tied to a helium balloon and launched into the atmosphere. The tiny object reaches a height of 500 metres. The CanSat then starts performing its missions, which are taking images, measuring heat, humidity and air pressure before it gets released from the balloon using an electrical current release mechanism and lands back on the ground using a parachute.

The pilot programme involved 30 students from two schools from grades 9 to 12, who were divided in two groups and made to compete in completing various tasks like setting up the satellite, connecting it with the balloon, releasing it, collecting data and getting the satellite back in time.

Hessa, who is the only female engineer involved in the educational programme, said the experiment aimed at creating a science-driven environment in which students can strengthen their research skills and which will also help in detecting their talent early.

EIAST is planning to make CanSat a regular programme for schoolchildren, with more such competitions lined up in the near future.

“The experiment is an important way to introduce the UAE space sector to students. It is a fantastic way to expose children at a young age to such advanced technologies and get them interested in the field. This will definitely go a long way towards a new generation of space scientists,” said Abdul Hamid Jafar from Omar Bin Al Khattab school, which was part of the project.

The Cansat operates through a software , which represents a simplified ground station that allows the users to interact with the small satellite by sending commands of its required missions and the final command of releasing it from the balloon.