Crafting CanSats: A Novel Modular Design Paradigm for Scientific CanSats

This paper introduces a novel modular design paradigm for Scientific CanSats, offering a cost-effective platform for testing space-related hardware in near-space environments with reduced developmental timelines. By harnessing Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) products alongside open-source technologies, this framework emphasizes quick integration of diverse scientific instruments and control systems. The core architectural elements comprise: (1) a unified power and communication bus, (2) standardized mechanical attachments and interfaces, and (3) distributed computing and data management. To validate the effectiveness and adaptability of this design, undergraduate students were engaged to design modules adhering to the established standards. This approach facilitated the creation of an adaptable ecosystem of Command and Sensor Modules, enabling swift assembly and reconfiguration of CanSats with diverse scientific potentials. Remarkably, students transitioned from conceptual design to tangible modules within a semester, while CanSat assembly and reconfiguration from existing modules took five and four minutes respectively.