The fact that the INTA (Spanish Air and Space Administration) is located in the south of Gran Canaria generates interest among young people like Tirajana native Mar Vaquero (Maspalomas, 1985), the engineer who controlled the trajectory of NASA's Cassini probe and is now preparing a probe to Jupiter for 2030 at the North American center. But things are going further. Young talent from the Canary Islands has made its mark on the national scientific elite. The Orbital 28°N 16°W team from the Tablero I High School in Maspalomas Aguañac, recently the regional CANSAT champion on the islands, had an unforgettable and highly educational experience in the national phase of the CANSAT 2025 competition, held in Galicia. Despite this being their first foray into this demanding competition, the students successfully launched their satellite, demonstrating their ability to excel and a promising future in the field of space engineering.
The satellite, designed by Orbital 28°N 16°W, was successfully launched, reaching an impressive altitude of over 600 meters. Its descent was controlled, maintaining a speed of approximately 8 m/s, just as its creators had intended. The parachute deployed smoothly, allowing the team to clearly visualize their prototype's landing point. Throughout the mission, crucial data was received in real time via radio frequency and monitored through a self-developed website.
This technical success was reflected in the robustness of the design. Although some sensors failed—a common occurrence in projects of this complexity—the satellite landed completely intact. The structure was undamaged, and both the LED and buzzer remained active after the impact, a clear indication of the robustness of its engineering. This improved version, compared to the one presented in the regional phase, is a testament to the team's tremendous technical work and dedication in just three months of preparation and with no prior experience in the competition.
Participation in the national competition has been, above all, a valuable learning experience. Despite the short preparation time and being newcomers, Orbital 28°N 16°W has demonstrated an enormous capacity for improvement and effort. This first foray has served as a fundamental starting point. Now, with lessons learned and motivation sky-high, they are already planning new missions and ambitious improvements for next year's design. The team members are more determined than ever. Their objective for the next edition is clear: to retain their regional title in the Canary Islands and return to the national competition. This time, the goal goes beyond participation; they aspire to fight for the national podium, despite the notoriously high level of the competition and their rivals.
This ambitious project has been made possible thanks to the crucial support of sponsors committed to STEM education and innovation. The STEM Area of the Directorate General for Education, Inclusion, and Innovation, ESERO Spain, Caja Rural de Tenerife, 4GFlota, and Reglade3 have been key pillars in making this aerospace experience a reality for these young Canarian talents. Their support is key to continuing to promote science and technology in the region.
