The World CanSat/Rocketry Championship (WCRC) is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations (as university student Teams or as an independent student Teams), and winning this event will be considered the highest achievement in this field. The WCRC is managed by a WCRC Consortium (https://wcrc.world/).

The WCRC consists of 3 phases: Phase 1 – National CanSat/Rocketry Competition as qualification for Continental CanSat/Rocketry Competition. In this Competition student Teams participate across their own State. If the State does not have a National Competition, then all student Teams can directly participate in the Continental CanSat/Rocketry Competition (i.e. Phase 2);
Phase 2 – Continental CanSat/Rocketry Competition as qualification for the World Finals;
Phase 3 – World Finals CanSat/Rocketry Competition;

Note: Due to the pandemic situation for the 2021/22 competition period, all National and Continental competitions have been canceled and all teams can participate directly in the World Finals. For the period 2022/23, the Championship will be realized through all phases (if the pandemic situation allows it).

The CanSat project gives the students hands-on experience through workshops and mini contests in space systems design and manufacture. Students also add on to their technical ability in programming, electronics and computer-aided design. Soft skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork are also gained. The cheap, simple design and implementation of a CanSat make it a good educational and practical tool for learning and simulating space missions.