- Over 600 budding innovators from 71 teams to compete in rocket launches & mini-satellite missions at Kushinagar, Oct 27–30, 2025
- Vinod Kumar, IN-SPACe: “We’re fueling experiential learning to build India’s next generation of space scientists and entrepreneurs”
- MP Shashank Mani: “This competition will spark imagination and seed a vibrant space culture across the region”
NE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY BUREAU
AHMEDABAD/BENGALURU, OCT 15
India’s next wave of young rocket scientists is set for take-off as the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), in collaboration with ISRO and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), announces the Model Rocketry/CANSAT India Student Competition 2024–25.
The national finale will be held on the scenic banks of the Narayani River in Tamkuhi Raj, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, from October 27–30, 2025.
Designed to simulate real-world space missions, the competition challenges students to design, develop, and launch a model rocket capable of deploying a 1 kg CANSAT (7U SAT) at an altitude of 1 km. Participants will test their engineering acumen in aerodynamics, payload design, telemetry, recovery systems, and mission management.
A total of 71 teams—comprising 600 students, faculty members, and mentors—have qualified for the national finale, including 36 in the CANSAT category and 35 in Model Rocketry, representing top universities and institutes from across India.
As part of its outreach mission, IN-SPACe and ISRO launched ‘Art-in-Space’ and ‘Space Quiz 20:20’ contests across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh—Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Jaunpur, Bahraich, Bulandshahr, and Gautam Buddha Nagar—attracting an astounding 73,000 student participants.
An “Antariksh Rath”, showcasing rockets, satellites, astronaut suits, and interactive space models, is touring schools to inspire curiosity and scientific thinking among young minds. Winners from these contests will be felicitated at the grand finale and get a chance to explore an immersive space habitat module at the venue.
Shashank Mani, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Deoria, expressed his pride, stating: “It is an honour to host the CANSAT Model Rocket Competition in the Tamkuhi Raj area of Deoria Lok Sabha in Kushinagar District. This competition will excite the imagination of the region and seed a culture of space awareness. It aligns with our Amrit Prayas 10-year developmental vision that leverages space technology for regional growth.”
Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe and Executive Secretary, ASI, highlighted the transformative role of the initiative, saying: “This competition reflects IN-SPACe’s commitment to fueling experiential learning and students’ early engagement with space technology. By giving them real-world challenges to solve, we are nurturing India’s future scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will power our growing space economy.”
He also acknowledged the support from the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Kushinagar administration in making the event possible.
The Model Rocketry/CANSAT India Student Competition 2024–25 represents IN-SPACe’s larger mission—to inspire and empower youth to become part of India’s $44-billion space economy vision by 2033, while reinforcing the nation’s position as a global hub for innovation, education, and sustainable space exploration.
