The IN-SPACe Model Rocketry and CANSAT India Student Competition 2024–25 concluded after four days filled with hands-on learning and competition, celebrating the spirit of scientific inquiry and youthful creativity.
This event was collaboratively organized by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), ISRO, and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), with support from the Government of Uttar Pradesh and local authorities. It attracted 67 student teams from across India, showcasing some of the most promising young talents in rocketry and satellite systems.
A total of 37 launches took place, including 13 in the Model Rocketry division and 24 in the CANSAT category, demonstrating both technical expertise and innovative design. A panel of judges composed of scientists from ISRO and IN-SPACe evaluated the teams based on criteria such as structure, recovery systems, mission execution, and data analysis.
In the Model Rocketry category, R.V. College of Engineering from Bengaluru emerged as the leading team, while SVKM”s Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering from Mumbai secured first place in the CANSAT segment. They outperformed notable competitors from institutions like PSIT Kanpur, Nirma University in Ahmedabad, BITS Pilani in Hyderabad, and Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru.
Despite the competitive atmosphere, the event fostered collaboration and learning. Students dedicated their time to refining models, conducting last-minute tests, and addressing real-time challenges related to design, simulation, and telemetry. This environment encouraged peer learning, mentorship, and creative problem-solving, embodying the “learning by doing” philosophy central to contemporary engineering education.
The competition also facilitated interactions between young innovators and some of India”s leading space scientists. During mentorship sessions, students received valuable insights into mission design, propulsion, avionics, and sustainable technologies for space exploration. Experts highlighted the importance of such experiences in enabling participants to apply academic knowledge to practical scenarios, a crucial skill for future aerospace professionals.
In the Model Rocketry segment, teams were assessed on flight performance, descent and recovery systems, and post-launch data analysis. In the CANSAT challenge, students developed miniature satellite prototypes equipped to carry sensors, gather atmospheric data, and manage controlled descent missions. The integration of coding, electronics, and mechanical design tested both technical skills and teamwork.
Beyond the competition itself, the event engaged the broader community. A space exhibition attracted over 650 school students from surrounding districts, providing them with an opportunity to interact with participating teams and learn about rocketry and satellite construction. The exhibition also featured winning artworks from ASI”s outreach programs, “Art-in-Space” and “Space Quiz 20:20,” which collectively reached nearly 75,000 students across seven districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Adding a unique educational aspect, the event included an Analog Astronaut Training Habitat, established by AAKA Space, where students participated in simulated astronaut missions, gaining firsthand experience of life in space through controlled exercises over a 24-hour training module. For many participants, this was their initial exposure to astronaut training concepts and mission-oriented teamwork.
The closing ceremony celebrated not only the winners but also the perseverance, curiosity, and dedication of all teams involved. Certificates were awarded to every participant, recognizing their contributions to advancing student-led research and practical learning in space sciences. More than just a contest of rockets and satellites, the event served as a platform where engineering intersected with creativity, teaching young minds to transform theoretical knowledge into tangible creations and challenges into opportunities. This experience underscored that the future of space exploration will be crafted not only in laboratories and academic institutions but also through competitions like this, where the spirit of learning truly takes flight.
