Guntur, Andhra Pradesh: The Science City of Andhra Pradesh successfully hosted the South India Rocket Challenge on 23rd January 2026 at Vignan University Guntur, marking a historic milestone as India’s first-ever large-scale student rocket challenge conducted outside the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The event was technically designed and executed by Muskan Aerospace, with Spacekidz India serving as Co-Mentor for the challenge.
The initiative brought together school and college students from across South India, offering them hands-on exposure to real-world rocketry. Under the structured mentorship framework jointly delivered by Muskan Aerospace and Spacekidz India, more than 1,000 school teams participated in the Hydro Rocket Challenge, while over 250 college teams competed in the Chemical Rocket Challenge.
Speaking at the event, Mr Venkateswarlu Kesineni, CEO, Science City of Andhra Pradesh, said,
“The South India Rocket Challenge represents a significant step in advancing experiential science education. Hosting India’s first student rocket challenge outside ISRO reflects our commitment to creating platforms where students can engage with advanced scientific concepts through practical learning.”
As the technical execution partner, Muskan Aerospace managed the complete end-to-end execution of the event, including student orientation and training, technical documentation, safety protocols, launch operations, evaluation parameters, and coordination with expert mentors and institutions.
Dr. Brajesh, Founder, Muskan Aerospace, stated,
“Our objective was to create a safe, structured, and scalable platform where students could experience rocketry the way aerospace professionals do. This challenge proves that high-end technologies like rocketry can be successfully democratized for students when guided by the right framework.”
Dr Seshagiri Rao V, Mentor & Former Space Scientist ISRO, stated,
“It is inspiring to see such a large number of students actively designing and launching rockets. This initiative shows that with proper mentorship and safety standards, students can meaningfully engage with advanced aerospace concepts at a young age.”
Spacekidz India, as Co-Mentor, contributed expert guidance in rocket design principles, propulsion concepts, stability analysis, and launch methodologies, strengthening the technical depth of the program.
The event also featured interactions with scientists, aerospace professionals, and academicians, inspiring students to explore careers in space science and technology. Stringent safety measures were followed throughout the program, ensuring a secure and disciplined learning environment.
With the successful hosting of the South India Rocket Challenge, Science City of Andhra Pradesh reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for scientific innovation, while Muskan Aerospace, supported by Spacekidz India, demonstrated the impact of collaborative mentorship in nurturing India’s next generation of aerospace innovators.
