Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Astronautical Society of India (ASI) in association with the Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN- SPACe) under the Department of Space(DoS) and Bengaluru-based Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully conducted the test trials of model rocket launcher system with a payload in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh (UP) from June 14 to 15, 2025.
- This launch marks a departure from earlier ISRO experiments in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where payloads were deployed via drones. For the first time in UP, a direct rocket launch was successfully executed.
- The launch trials were conducted as part of the preparations for the INS-SPACe CANSAT and Model Rocketry India Student Competition(MRISC), scheduled to be held in Kushinagar, UP, in October 2025.
Key Points:
i.The model rocket launcher is developed by Ghaziabad (UP) based Thrust Tech India Private Limited, under the guidance of the experts from IN-SPACe and ISRO, shall be used for the student competition.
ii.The rocket, which is 15 kilogram(kg), ascended to approximately 1.1 kilometre (km).
- After the launch, a small satellite (payload) came out. As soon as it fell to 5 metres(m), its parachute activated, and the satellite landed within 400m of the ground.
- The intact recovery of both the rocket body and its payload marked the test as a complete success.
iii.The trials were also conducted to assess the launch site’s suitability and evaluate key operational parameters such as safety margins, communication range, and recovery conditions in the surrounding area.
About IN-SPACe CANSAT Model Rocketry Competition:
i.It is a national level competition, organized by the ASI in association with IN-SPACe, supported by ISRO.
ii.The competition is aimed at providing hands-on experiences in model rocketry and satellite systems to Under Graduate (UG) students across India.
iii.The models and CANSATS built by the students will be launched in the competition.
- CANSATS are miniature satellites that fit in a soft drink can and are used to give students first-hand experience in developing real space projects.
- Around 900 youth-built satellites will be tested in the competition.
iv.The competition is being conducted to generate interest in space technology among children and youths across India.
Note:
About Astronautical Society of India (ASI):
President – Devendra K. Ojha
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Establishment – 1990
About Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN- SPACe):
Chairman – Dr. Pawan Goenka
Headquarters – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Established – 2020
