Sino-Russian Student-Built Satellite Takes Flight!

Move over, NASA – students are taking space exploration to new heights! A microsatellite co-developed by Chinese and Russian university teams soared into orbit this week from Blagoveshchensk, Russia, marking a major win for cross-border STEM collaboration.

This pocket-sized tech marvel (weighing just 15.7 kg – lighter than your checked luggage! ) will test cutting-edge micro-nano satellite systems, run radio experiments, and help train future space scientists. The ultimate group project involved brainpower from Harbin Institute of Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and two Russian universities.

Student Power in Space

\"We called the shots on everything from circuit design to launch commands,\" said Zhang Jiyao, a HIT doctoral student, beaming with pride. Over 50 undergrads and grad students worked on the satellite – proving you don\'t need a PhD to reach for the stars .

For electronics whiz Fang Kangbo, the launch was a \"lightbulb moment\": \"Hearing ‘3…2…1… liftoff!’ made my textbook diagrams come alive. When we got that first signal from space? Pure magic.\"

More Than Just Hardware

This isn\'t just about space tech – it\'s a cultural bridge wrapped in solar panels. The project\'s leaders say it strengthens ties between young innovators in both countries, with plans for more joint programs in the pipeline. Who knows? The next Elon Musk might be in this very team…

Reference(s):

First microsatellite by Chinese, Russian university students launched

cgtn.com