Aryabhatta@50
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of India's first satellite, Aryabhata, launched on April 19, 1965.
Inspired by India's space legacy and in celebration of 50 years since the launch of Aryabhata—India’s first satellite—we at GuruKool Academy, in collaboration with NDMC and leading space innovators, proudly organized the Aryabhatta@50 – Satellite Model-Making Competition.
Held at the NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi, this special event brought together over 500 students from various schools across Delhi-NCR, encouraging them to explore the wonders of space science through hands-on innovation. The objective was to commemorate Aryabhata’s legacy by engaging students in designing their own satellite models using recycled materials—nurturing creativity, sustainability, and scientific thinking.
The event also hosted insightful sessions with experts from ISRO and the private space sector, including a keynote by Dr. S. Somanath, Former Chairman of ISRO. This one-day celebration was part of GuruKool Academy’s ongoing mission to spark curiosity, foster innovation, and empower the next generation of space scientists and thinkers.
Event Highlights
Over 200 schools from across Delhi and the NCR region registered to participate in the Satellite Model-Making Competition. The overwhelming response reflected the excitement among students to honour India’s first satellite and engage with space science in a hands-on, meaningful way.
In the first round, all registered schools were invited to submit their satellite model concepts. These submissions included brief design summaries, mission ideas, and a sustainability plan highlighting the use of recycled materials. The goal was not just to build a model, but to think like real space scientists—balancing creativity, functionality, and feasibility.
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A panel of educators, engineers, and space experts from GuruKool Academy and its partner institutions reviewed each entry carefully. After a rigorous selection process, the top 50 teams were shortlisted to present their models at the final event. Each selected team consisted of three students and one teacher mentor.
These 50 finalist teams showcased their satellite models at the grand event held on April 19, 2025, at the NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi. The models—built entirely using recycled materials—reflected not only scientific understanding but also innovation, teamwork, and a deep commitment to sustainability.
Students had the rare opportunity to present their work to two distinguished figures in Indian space innovation—Dr. S. Somanath, Former Chairman of ISRO, who joined as Chief Guest, and Dr. Deb Jyoti Pal, Senior Vice President at GalaxEye Space. Both experts interacted directly with the students, appreciated their ideas, and shared valuable insights about the future of space research and India’s growing private space sector.
