IN-SPACe Opens Entries for Model Rocketry, CANSAT 2026
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The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has opened applications for the 2nd edition of IN-SPACe Model Rocketry and 3rd edition of CAN-7USAT India Student Competition 2026. Undergraduate student teams from engineering and science streams across India can now apply, with the last date for applications being 30 April 2026. The national level finals for both competitions are expected to take place between October and November 2026 in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
The Model Rocketry competition involves the design, development and launch of a model rocket carrying a CAN-size (7U) satellite of 1 kg mass, which must reach an altitude of 1000 metres above the launch site. The mission also requires the safe ejection of the CAN-7USAT and precision targeted landing of the rocket post separation.
The CAN-7USAT competition involves the design, development & launch of a CAN sized (7U) satellite of 1 Kg mass to an altitude of 1000 meters above the launch site. The competition objective includes achieving a precision targeted landing of the CAN-7USAT upon release from the rocket at a predefined location.
Through the course of these competitions, students will learn the fundamentals of rocketry and satellite making while developing skills such as team building, cooperation, project management and interpersonal communication. Over several months, participating teams will work through the engineering processes involved in building a launch vehicle & satellite and will compete with peers from across the country for a place in the national level final in Kushinagar.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe said, “The Model Rocketry and CAN-7USAT competitions are designed to give students a realistic exposure to the challenges of building and executing space missions. By working on real engineering problems, students will develop technical capabilities and learn the value of teamwork, project management and problem solving. We hope this initiative inspires young minds to explore careers in space science and contribute to India’s growing space ecosystem.”
The IN-SPACe India Student Competitions aim to cultivate scientific curiosity and hands on learning among students. The initiative seeks to encourage interest in space science and technology among students while strengthening the ecosystem for indigenous space activities in India. It also aims to bridge the skill gap between academia and industry and contribute to building a future-ready space workforce aligned with the vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat.
The previous edition of the competition witnessed strong participation from institutions across the country. In the 2024–25 edition, a total of 67 student teams comprising nearly 600 students, faculty members and mentors qualified for the national finale, with 36 teams competing in the CAN-7USAT category and 31 teams in Model Rocketry. The finale was held in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, bringing together students from universities and technical institutions across India to demonstrate their engineering and mission design capabilities.
