The Vertical Landing Rocket Competition organized within the scope of TEKNOFEST, one of the most powerful showcases of Türkiye's national technology initiative, invites young people who are interested in rocket technologies to an innovative and ambitious engineering challenge once again. The competition, which was implemented for the first time in 2022 under the supervision of TÜBİTAK, stands out with the feature of being the first rocket competition realized with the cold gas propelled vertical landing concept in the world.
24.02.2026
Focusing on rocket propelled landing systems, which is a critical field in rocket technologies, the competition provides participants with a holistic engineering experience covering design, integration and testing processes, going beyond theoretical knowledge. The competition, which encourages teams from different disciplines to work together, aims to develop young people's skills in problem-solving within a team spirit and in producing advanced technology.
In the 2026 competition mission, an advanced engineering approach is expected from the teams, including autonomous control algorithms, avionics and propulsion systems compatible integration and precision landing management. The rockets released from the specified altitude are aimed to perform a controlled and soft landing with the help of a cold gas propulsion system. In particular, Decrees made at the moment of landing and system reactions are among the basic elements that determine the technical difficulty level of the competition. Teams that successfully complete the soft landing can also earn additional points by demonstrating their system performance at an advanced level through optional bonus mission scenarios.
Associate, undergraduate and graduate students who are studying at home and abroad or who are graduates can participate in the competition. All young people who are interested in rocket and space technologies and want to test their theoretical knowledge in the field are invited to take part in this prestigious competition. The teams that won the Vertical Landing Rocket Competition are waiting for important prizes. The first prize was determined as 300.000 TRY, the second prize was determined as 250.000 TRY, and the third prize was determined as 200.000 TRY.
Applications for the TEKNOFEST Vertical Landing Rocket Competition, which offers a great opportunity for young people who want to design the space and rocket technologies of the future and develop their engineering competencies in a real mission scenario, continue until February 28.
