In a remarkable step towards strengthening India’s STEM education framework, the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), has launched the IN-SPACe CANSAT and Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024–25 . This unique competition is crafted for undergraduate students across India, providing them with an opportunity to engage in experiential learning through the design, fabrication, and launch of CANSATs—can-sized satellites—using model rocketry platforms. The event held on June 14, 2025 , in Tamkuhi Raj, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh , was not a full-fledged rocket launch carrying an actual payload. Instead, it served as a critical site and systems validation test in preparation for the upcoming national student competition. This test focused on ensuring the readiness of launch site infrastructure, safety protocols, telemetry systems, and track...
IN-SPACe CANSAT & Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024–25: A Giant Leap for Student Innovation
In a remarkable step towards strengthening India’s STEM education framework, the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), has launched the IN-SPACe CANSAT and Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024–25. This unique competition is crafted for undergraduate students across India, providing them with an opportunity to engage in experiential learning through the design, fabrication, and launch of CANSATs—can-sized satellites—using model rocketry platforms.
The event held on June 14, 2025, in Tamkuhi Raj, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, was not a full-fledged rocket launch carrying an actual payload. Instead, it served as a critical site and systems validation test in preparation for the upcoming national student competition. This test focused on ensuring the readiness of launch site infrastructure, safety protocols, telemetry systems, and tracking mechanisms that will be used during the main events later this year. Hosting this preparatory event in a non-metro region like Kushinagar reflects the organizers' intent to decentralize space education and reach students from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, thereby democratizing access to high-quality scientific exposure.
The competition itself is designed to simulate a miniature space mission lifecycle, from mission planning and satellite design to launch and data collection. Participating students will work in interdisciplinary teams, gaining skills in aerospace engineering, embedded systems, sensor technology, satellite telemetry, and communication systems. Beyond technical skills, the competition also builds capabilities in project management, teamwork, and innovation—key competencies for India’s evolving space-tech ecosystem. By bridging theory with practical application, the competition supports the New Education Policy’s emphasis on experiential learning.
The June 14 validation test assessed the performance of several key systems. These included the ground support equipment, safety procedures for handling solid-fuel model rockets, flight path simulations, payload integration, and real-time data transmission setups. Officials from IN-SPACe, ISRO, and ASI were present to oversee the process and provide feedback. While no actual student payloads were launched during the test, the infrastructure and procedures were thoroughly examined and optimized to ensure the competition's success.
This national-level initiative is a collaborative effort. The ASI is leading the educational outreach component, ISRO is providing technical mentoring and institutional support, and IN-SPACe is facilitating policy alignment and infrastructure access for private-sector synergy. This public-private-academic nexus is emblematic of the Indian space sector’s current trajectory—open, inclusive, and innovation-driven. The competition is also aligned with larger national missions like Start-up India, Digital India, and the SpaceCom policy, which aim to build a globally competitive space industry supported by a skilled talent pipeline.
The student competition is expected to ignite interest in space sciences at a grassroots level and attract young minds from a wide range of disciplines. Events like this are not merely about launching rockets—they are about launching dreams. The response from students and institutions across India has already been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed excitement at the chance to work on real-life satellite components and model rocket flights, especially in a setting that mimics ISRO’s professional mission environment.
According to an IN-SPACe official present at the event, “Events like this validate not just systems and sites, but also the ambitions of our youth. When a student from rural Uttar Pradesh gets to test a model satellite and see it soar, we know India’s future in space is secure.” Similarly, a student team member shared that participating in this competition gives them a glimpse into what it takes to work at organizations like ISRO or a space start-up—and that glimpse could be life-changing.
In conclusion, the IN-SPACe CANSAT and Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024–25 is much more than a technical contest. It is a visionary initiative to build a strong foundation for India’s future space workforce. The Tamkuhi Raj test event has laid the groundwork for a vibrant, inclusive, and skill-driven space education ecosystem. As the main competition unfolds in the coming months, all eyes will be on India’s bright young minds as they build, launch, and innovate their way into the cosmos.