Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), has announced the National Level Model Rocketry/CANSAT India Student Competition 2024–25. The grand finale will take place from October 27 to 30, 2025, along the banks of the Narayani River in Tumkuhi Raj, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
The competition aims to provide students with hands-on experience in designing, developing, and launching model rockets capable of carrying a 1-kilogram CANSAT (7U SAT) to a height of 1 kilometer, while successfully fulfilling specified mission objectives. This initiative allows students to simulate real-world space missions and contributes to the development of India’s next generation of space professionals.
A total of 71 student teams, comprising approximately 600 students, faculty members, and mentors, have qualified for the national finale. Of these, 36 teams are competing in the CANSAT category and 35 in the Model Rocketry category, representing universities and technical institutes from across India.
Prior to the competition, IN-SPACe, in collaboration with ISRO, organized a series of outreach programs across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh—Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Jaunpur, Bahraich, Bulandshahr, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. These included the ‘Art-in-Space’ and ‘Space Quiz 20:20’ competitions, engaging nearly 73,000 students. The programs, run by the Namaskar Foundation, also featured a “Space Chariot” equipped with models of rockets, satellites, astronaut suits, and other educational displays to inspire scientific curiosity among students.
Winners of these preliminary competitions will be honoured at the grand finale and will have the opportunity to experience an immersive Space Habitat Module on-site, enhancing their understanding of space technology.
Speaking about the event, Shashank Mani, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Deoria, said:
“Hosting the CANSAT Model Rocket Competition in Tumkuhi Raj, Kushinagar, is a matter of pride. This competition will spark imagination among students and sow the seeds of a culture of space awareness. It aligns with our 10-year developmental strategy for the constituency under the Amrit Mission, aimed at promoting the use of space technology in the region.”
The IN-SPACe Model Rocketry/CANSAT India Competition is set to cultivate innovation, scientific inquiry, and space awareness among students while showcasing Uttar Pradesh as a hub for national-level space education initiatives.
