MK-Sat: Design and Implementation of CanSat as Planetary Probe Lander

CanSat Competition USA is a worldwide competition where undergraduate and graduate students participate to test their knowledge and own designs in order to perform scaled aerospace missions. This paper proposes the design, implementation and validation of an innovative canned satellite, MK-Sat, for the CanSat Competition 2023. The design consists of two main parts, a container and a probe, joined together by an heatshield mechanism. Mechanisms, electronics and software were designed and implemented to fulfill the proposed mission. Two preliminary experiments to validate environmental and mechanical resistance were carried out, resulting in the MK-Sat being ready for the competition. MK-Sat was a finalist after passing the competition phases and was launched in the main event at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. This article aims to share some of the knowledge acquired during the design MK-Sat, in order that it can be used for future CanSat competition participants to have a referential base line.