ESA BIC Czech Republic was once again part of the Czech Rocket Challenge 2026, a competition it has supported over the long term and helped establish in its early years.

The Czech Rocket Challenge gives high school and university students the opportunity to design, build, test and launch their own rockets. While the organisers provide the rocket engine, the teams are responsible for the rest, from the structure and onboard systems to technical documentation and safe recovery. This year’s finals took place at the airport in Moravská Třebová and, for the first time, were held over two days.

The programme included final preparations, technical inspections, expert talks and presentations by the individual teams, who introduced their projects and explained the technical solutions behind their rockets. The competition culminated in the rocket launches, with the teams’ technical approach, presentations and overall performance assessed by an expert jury. By supporting initiatives such as the Czech Rocket Challenge, ESA BIC Czech Republic helps young talent gain practical experience in engineering, teamwork and space technologies. For many participants, the competition can be an important first step towards a future career or entrepreneurial journey in the space sector.

ESA BIC Czech Republic was also represented with its own stand, joined by the incubated startup Spacemanic. The stand provided an opportunity to speak not only with participating students, but also with members of the public, technology enthusiasts and visitors interested in science and space. These conversations helped connect the competition with the wider space ecosystem and showed how student projects can develop into real technologies, professional opportunities and future business ideas.

source: ESA BIC Czech Republic