First in Azerbaijan: School-built satellite launched into orbit UPDATED

The launch into orbit of the school satellite Azərbaycanın Zəfəri (“Victory of Azerbaijan”) is a strategic investment in the country’s future.

Dunay Badirkhanov, Acting Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercosmos), made this statement at a briefing dedicated to the satellite launch, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He noted that by giving students the opportunity to design, test, and launch real space technology into orbit, the Agency is preparing the next generation of space specialists.

“This school project is the product of a modern space ecosystem that has developed in our country over the past 15 years… This success demonstrates that the investments made in Azerbaijan’s education sector have yielded tangible technological results,” Badirkhanov said.

He also emphasised that the Azərbaycanın Zəfəri satellite was developed by students of School No. 297.

“The project is seen as an event that unites patriotism, creative thinking, and technological interest among the younger generation,” he added.

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For the first time in Azerbaijan’s history, a school-built satellite — Azərbaycanın Zəfəri (Azerbaijan’s Victory) — has been launched into orbit.

Imran Mukhtarov, head of the KOSMIK Academy under Azerbaijan’s Space Agency (Azercosmos), announced at a briefing that the satellite was sent into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, per local media.

The Azərbaycanın Zəfəri satellite is a PocketQube-type device measuring 5×5×5 cm and weighing around 250 grams. Built from durable materials such as aluminium alloys and carbon composites, it is designed to ensure both mechanical strength and thermal stability.

PocketQube satellites were first launched into orbit in November 2013.

By Khagan Isayev