ISRO conducts successful model rocket test in UP’s Kushinagar ahead of student space contest

A sleepy village in eastern Uttar Pradesh saw something remarkable. Under morning sunlight filtering through the leaves, a slender model rocket soared upwards — not for fireworks or glory, but to push the boundaries of student aspirations. The location in Rakaba Jangal Patti, Sevrahi, Tamkuhi Raj, Kushinagar, hummed with excitement on June 14–15, as students, scientists, and engineers converged for a special launch.

Test Flight Ahead of National Rocketry Challenge

This was not a typical launch with a satellite in tow. Instead, it was a systems check for the upcoming IN-SPACe CANSAT and Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024–25. Jointly organised by the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), ISRO, and IN-SPACe, the contest aims to bring hands-on learning in space tech to students across India.

The trial confirmed that the site met all competition needs. Experts checked communication range, safety margins, and recovery setups. The two successful flights also validated the rocket launcher system developed by Thrust Tech India Pvt. Ltd. under the guidance of ISRO and IN-SPACe. The rocket, weighing 15 kg, reached nearly 1 kilometre in altitude and deployed a CAN-sized 1 kg satellite, which floated down by parachute.