Teen Scientists Compete for a Study Trip to China’s Aerospace Hub

A new competition called Reaching for the Stars has launched for students in grades 8–10. The contest focuses on space exploration, satellite engineering, and radio technology. Winners will earn a study trip to China in early 2027.

The competition begins with an online test on physics, astronomy, and space technology. The top 200 participants will move to the second stage, where they must solve complex problems within 24 hours. They can choose between two tracks: engineering or scientific.

In the engineering track, students will design satellites, calculate orbits, and propose payload ideas for CubeSats. The scientific track involves analysing real astronomical data and studying celestial mechanics. The third round consists of online interviews to evaluate knowledge, motivation, and readiness for the international program. An in-person session will then take place in July 2026 at the Physics and Technology School in St. Petersburg. The top 10 finalists will travel to China in early 2027. There, they will join a program at Tsinghua University’s Aerospace Innovation Research Center.

The contest offers students a chance to deepen their understanding of space science and engineering. The winners will gain hands-on experience at a leading aerospace research center in China. No details on previous finalists or their participation are currently available.