Turkish students successfully launch rockets as part of Teknofest

As part of Teknofest Istanbul Aerospace and Technology Festival, Turkey is hosting a rocket competition for the first time in the history of the republic with the participation of undergraduate, graduate and post graduate students, taking place between Sept. 11 and Sept.14.

Five tech-enthusiastic competitors successfully launched the rockets they designed which reached an altitude of 2800 meters at Lake Tuz, located in central Turkey, on Thursday.

The general manager of BAYKAR, one of Teknofest’s sponsors, said: “Today, history is being written here at Lake Tuz! Turkey is now one of the two countries hosting a rocket competition. Our young brothers and sisters, who will soar our country to space, have successfully launched their self-designed rockets.”

One hundred and fifty seven Turkish teams applied to the rocket competition which was previously only held in the U.S.

Teams are competing in two separate categories: low and high altitude.

The aim of the competition is to improve the skills of students by increasing their interest in space technology and support youth working in these fields.

Tekno Fest is organized by the Turkey Technology Team Foundation (T3) to showcase the country’s rapid advance in technology and promote technology advances, will last four-day and began on Sept. 20 in Istanbul's 3rd airport.

Teknofest, Turkey’s first aerospace and technology festival, will also include air shows, aviation demonstrations, technology competitions in 12 different categories, seminars on cutting-edge technology, and an international entrepreneurship summit among other activities.

The technology competitions of TEKNOFEST Istanbul held under the leadership of the Turkey Technology Team Foundation will be organized with the support of ASELSAN, Baykar, IGA, İsbak, ROKETSAN, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAİ), Turkish Airlines (THY), the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), and TÜRKSAT.