The courtyard of New Uzbekistan University recently turned into an experimental launchpad, where high school and university teams tested homemade rockets built from plastic bottles and paper stabilizers, propelled by air compressors. The event marked the second iteration of the Space Fest festival, dedicated to World Space Week.

Organized by the student club MUBL in cooperation with the Space Alliance and backed by the Uzbek aerospace agency "Uzbekkosmos," the festival has significantly expanded its reach. Over 400 participants registered this year—double the attendance of the previous event—while the number of interactive workshops and technical zones doubled to emphasize hands-on engineering over theoretical presentations.

Attendees took part in complex engineering challenges, including the "Build a Satellite" board game simulation and the "Mars Transportation Challenge," where teams planned crewed and cargo missions to Mars under simulated budgetary and technical constraints. Experienced mentors and university faculty evaluated the projects, offering participants a realistic glimpse into aerospace development workflows.

Representatives from "Uzbekkosmos" emphasized that such initiatives aim to demonstrate that the aerospace sector is accessible to the younger generation. The agency actively provides pathways for students, including international scholarships, professional internships in geographic information systems, and opportunities to contribute to global astronautical congresses.

Source: www.gazeta.uz