Baku: The first satellite built by Azerbaijani schoolchildren has been successfully launched into orbit from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard SpaceX’s ‘Falcon 9’ rocket.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, this small-sized ‘PocketQube’ type satellite, named ‘Azerbaijan’s Victory,’ was developed by students in grades 7-9 as part of the ‘National Satellite Innovation’ competition organized by the COSMIC Academy under the Space Agency of Azerbaijan (‘Azercosmos’). The satellite commemorates the 5th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War.
The project is considered a historic milestone in Azerbaijan’s education and innovation ecosystem. It involved 672 students from 41 schools across the country, marking one of the largest space initiatives undertaken by schoolchildren in the region. Students from School No. 297 led the development of the Victory satellite, which embodies a blend of patriotic sentiments, creative thinking, and technological interest among the young generation.
The ‘Azerbaijan’s Victory’ satellite will conduct basic tests in orbit, gather telemetry data, and offer students the chance to gain practical experience in satellite operations post-launch. This launch signifies a new phase in Azercosmos’ efforts to nurture local talent, support youthful innovation, and foster a sustainable national space ecosystem.