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The National Science Team of Azerbaijan, established under the initiative and organizational support of the SPACE Academy of Azercosmos, has secured first place at the prestigious international competition “APRSAF CanSat 2025.” The event was organized in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Held on July 12–13 in Wakayama, Japan, the competition brought together student teams from across the Asia-Pacific region. Representing Azerbaijan was a dedicated team of four university students, each from different higher education institutions in the country. Their participation was guided and mentored by an experienced expert from Azercosmos, who supported the students throughout the design and launch process.
As part of the challenge, each participating team was tasked with designing, constructing, and launching a miniature satellite known as a CanSat. The device had to measure no more than 124 mm in length, 68 mm in diameter, and weigh between 250 and 300 grams. This task offered a rigorous hands-on learning experience, aimed at fostering deep practical knowledge and enhancing engineering skills among the students.
Despite their small size, these compact devices include all key components of an actual satellite. These include systems such as power supply, communication modules, and sensor units. However, rather than being used for orbital purposes, CanSats are used strictly for educational and experimental activities. They challenge students to creatively apply theoretical concepts in practical, real-world scenarios, while working within strict technical and physical constraints.
The overarching goal of the CanSat project is to provide students with real-world training opportunities in areas such as aerospace engineering, teamwork, coding, system architecture, and prototype testing. These tasks simulate the actual functions of real satellites. The interdisciplinary nature of the competition promotes not only technical expertise but also cultivates critical thinking, leadership, and effective problem-solving skills—attributes that are highly sought after in today’s competitive global space sector.
This type of format is particularly popular in international space and engineering education programs, especially in events coordinated by organizations like APRSAF. Competitions such as this one serve as a valuable gateway for aspiring engineers and scientists to pursue careers in aerospace research and satellite technology development.
In addition to Azerbaijan, the 2025 edition of the competition featured strong teams from several other countries in the region, including China, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Azerbaijan’s first-place win highlights the country’s successful integration into the broader Asia-Pacific space ecosystem and reflects the quality of its young engineering talent.
This remarkable victory reinforces Azerbaijan’s growing reputation in the areas of space exploration, engineering, STEAM education, and scientific innovation. It also reflects the country’s expanding pool of highly skilled and future-ready professionals.
This achievement not only reflects the technical capabilities of Azerbaijan’s young engineers but also highlights the country’s commitment to long-term space education. During the 2024–2025 academic year, several international educational programs—such as the APRSAF Space Poster Contest, STEAM-focused seminars, and space observation initiatives—were organized through the SPACE Academy as part of ongoing collaboration with APRSAF and JAXA. These initiatives have played a key role in enhancing scientific literacy, encouraging creativity, and fostering cross-cultural exchange among Azerbaijani students.Through such efforts, Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its position in the global space arena and nurture a generation of future-ready professionals dedicated to innovation, exploration, and scientific excellence.
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