This mission simulates delivering a sensor payload to a planet's surface (assumes the planet has an atmosphere).
The overall CanSat system is composed of two primary components, a science payload (large hens egg) and a re-entry container that protects the payload during ascent, "near-apogee" deployment and initial re-entry/descent.
Once the deployed container/payload system reaches a low enough altitude the payload is released from the container to gently descend and safely land with the sensor (egg) intact. All operations are to be autonomous. "Near apogee" deployment will occur at an altitude of approximately 670 meters. Upon deployment from the rocket, the container and payload shall descend at approximately 20 meters per second using any passive descent control system. At an altitude of approximately 400 meters the payload shall be released from its container and descend under it's own control to a safe landing, keeping the egg intact. The safe landing shall be accomplished without using a parachute, para-foil, streamer, or any similar device to reduce its speed.