Yakutia's Cholbon satellite launches students into space exploration

Yakutia is set to make history with the launch of its first small spacecraft, Cholbon, on December 28. The satellite, developed as part of an educational programme, will lift off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket. This mission marks the region's first step into space exploration while offering students hands-on experience in programming and scientific experiments.

The Cholbon project was created by the Minor Academy of Sciences of Yakutia (MANS) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Yakutsk Complex Expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The spacecraft carries 12 Arduino-compatible microcontrollers, a gamma spectrometer, and multiple sensors, enabling students to conduct experiments and remotely control devices from the ground.

By March 2026, 12 schools and educational centres across Yakutia—primarily in Yakutsk, Neryungri, and Mirny—had already prepared or carried out projects linked to the satellite. These efforts were coordinated by the Yakut Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The mission has also secured approval from the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) to operate radio frequencies in the amateur band. Beyond education, *Cholbon* will test ground-based space infrastructure, combining scientific research with practical learning opportunities. The launch is scheduled for 23:00 Yakutsk time (17:00 Moscow time) from Russia's eastern spaceport.

The Cholbon satellite will provide Yakutia's students with direct access to space technology, allowing them to programme microcontrollers and run experiments. Its successful deployment will establish a foundation for future educational and scientific projects in the region. The mission's data and infrastructure tests are expected to benefit both local schools and broader space research efforts.