• IAF-CSA Space Universities CubeSat Challenge
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  • CubeSat
    A platform for new technology verification and international cooperation.
  • International Platform
    For university students to show their ambition.
  • Space Challenge
    The combination of international astronautics education and industry.

Overview

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and its Space University Administrative Committee (SUAC) in cooperation with the Chinese Society of Astronautics (CSA) are pleased to announce the third Space Universities CubeSat Challenge (SUCC) for a Free Launch of a CubeSat aboard a Chinese launcher and deployment from Chinese Space Station!

After the success of its second edition, the IAF-CSA Space Universities CubeSat Challenge (SUCC) is renewed for a third edition!

With the theme "CubeSat, a platform for new technology verification and international cooperation" the IAF-CSA Space Universities CubeSat Challenge aims at:

  • fostering the innovative thinking of students around the world;
  • improving the ability of astronautics innovative scientific research, the ability to combine theory with practice, the ability to solve practical engineering problems;
  • contributing to the popularization of space knowledge and the support of innovative talents.

    • According to the arrangement of the competition, the related matters of the second SUCC are hereby notified as follows:

    Name and Theme

      Name: The 3nd Space Universities CubeSat Challenge（3nd SUCC）

      Theme: “CubeSat, a platform for new technology verification and international cooperation".

    Topics

    • CubeSat Innovation Missions.
    • Conceptual CubeSat platform and component innovation system design.
    • Innovative CubeSat payloads and applications.
    • Other new concepts, new ideas and new viewpoints of CubeSat design and applications.

    Registration

    • Visit the official IAF website on https://www.iafastro.org/activities/iaf-suac-cube-sat-competitions/ to download documents to submit the application.
    • Applications must be submitted to IAF at award@iafastro.org and secretary@iafsucc.org by 15 June 2025 (must be in English).
    • Application and registration are free of charge.

      • WHO CAN APPLY?

    • IAF-CSA 3nd SUCC is open to all IAF Member Universities.
    • Participation and registration are free of charge.
    • Non-IAF Member Universities are strongly encouraged to apply for IAF Membership in order to be admitted participating in the competition to win a free launch. Universities who start the IAF Membership application process will qualify for the competition and will further be considered. Please refer to Become an IAF member to start the application process and learn more about the numerous benefits of becoming an IAF Member.

    Application Process

      The application shall contain:

    • information sheet.docx and work template.docx
    • Description of bidding organization and background experience with respect to CubeSats (if available).
    • Description of proposed CubeSat mission.
    • Description of available facilities (e.g. integration and test facilities, ground station).
    • Funding and readiness status.
    • For Non-IAF Member Universities, please send proof of IAF Membership application.

    Organizers

    Sponsors:

      International Astronautical Federation (IAF)

      Chinese Society of Astronautics (CSA)

    Organizers:

      Space University Administrative Committee of IAF (SUAC)

      Dalian University of Technology (DUT) (CSA)

    Prizes

    International Final：

  • The international grand prize is 3,000 Euros, first prize is 2,000 Euros, and second prize is 1,000 Euros.
  • The IAF will waive the registration fee for one student for each team in the final round to participate in International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025.
  • The winning team will be granted a free piggyback launch opportunity aboard a Chinese launcher (According to the laws and regulations of China, all satellites launched from China must have active de-orbiting measures).

    • Review Committee

    Christian Feichtinger

    IAF Secretariat

    Executive Director of IAF

    Otto Koudelka

    Head of the Institute of Communications Network & Satellite Communications

    Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)

    Tanja Masson-Zwaan

    Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of the International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL)

    Leiden University

    Wang Yiran

    Secretary General of the Board

    Vice President and Secretary General of CSA

    Yu Xiaozhou

    Co-Chair of the Board

    Vice Chairman of SUAC

    Li Huayi

    Chairman of the Joint Meeting

    Yu Dengyun

    China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

    Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Committee

    Yu Miao

    Director of International Cooperation Center of China Aerospace (ICCCA)

    Vice President and Secretary General of CSA

    Schedule

    JUN2025

    Registration/Application Submission Deadline

    30 June 2025

    Applications must be submitted to IAF at award@iafastro.org and secretary@iafsucc.org by 30 June 2025 and shall include the filled in forms describing the team and project content:
    information sheet.docx and work template.docx.

    JUL2025

    Work Submission Deadline

    30 July 2025
    AUG/SEP2025

    Preliminary Review and Finals

    Domestic Preliminary Review--1 Aug 2025——20 Aug 2025, in Hainan

    Domestic Preliminary Review Deadline--20 Aug 2025, in Hainan

    Domestic Finals--30 Aug 2025, in Harbin

    International Finals--15 Sept 2025

    OCT2025

    Official announcement of winning team during the 76th International Astronautical Congress 2025

    During 76th IAC，2 October 2025——6 October 2025, in Baku.

    Launch Date

    To be jointed consulted and confirmed by organizers and related Chinese authorities.

    Contact

    The SUCC endeavor to provide timely information and answers of your questions. If you are not able to locate the information you are seeking on our website, you may mail us at:

    award@iafastro.org