USM PENANG, 17 September 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) etched a historic milestone in the global aerospace arena when two of its teams achieved outstanding success at the prestigious Teknofest 2025 Rocket Competition, held recently in Istanbul, Turkiye.

The two teams, USM Rocket Team and WAU Rocketry Club did the University proud as their months of preparation and dedication culminated in an achievement that placed both USM and Malaysia on the international stage.

USM Rocket Team clinched 1st Place for Best Design in the International Category, while WAU Rocketry Club secured an impressive 3rd Place for Best Team Spirit in the same category, a double victory that underscored the university’s growing prominence in aerospace innovation.

This achievement highlighted not only the technical capabilities of the students but also their ability to work under pressure, collaborate effectively, and adapt to the rigorous demands of an international aerospace competition.

Competition Overview

The competition was held on 4–8 September 2025 at the Roketsan Test Fire Range in Aksaray, Turkey, under the organisation of Roketsan, a leading Turkish defense and aerospace company.

Teknofest is internationally recognised as one of the most prestigious aerospace and technology festivals, attracting participation from top universities and rocketry teams worldwide.

Integration and Evaluation Phase

The competition was both technically demanding and educational. Over the span of two intensive days, the USM teams successfully completed the rocket integration phase, which involved:

• Mechanical structure verification
• Recovery system verification
• Payload system checks
• Avionics integration and testing
• Aerodynamic assessments

Each subsystem was thoroughly inspected by the evaluation committee. Only upon successful evaluation were the teams granted approval to proceed to the launch phase.

Launch and Results

Following the integration checks, both USM teams launched their rockets in accordance with competition requirements. The launches were successful, showcasing the teams’ engineering design and integration skills.

Learning Experience and International Collaboration

Beyond the competition itself, the students gained valuable hands-on learning experience in rocket integration, systems engineering, and launch operations.

Interactions with other teams from Turkey, enriched the experience, as USM students learned new techniques, approaches, and strategies from their peers.

The competition fostered a spirit of global collaboration and provided insights into emerging aerospace practices in different countries.

The USM Rocket Team and WAU Rocketry Club extend their heartfelt appreciation to Roketsan for their outstanding hospitality, guidance, and encouragement throughout the competition.

Special thanks are due to the judges and evaluation panels, who provided continuous feedback and motivation during the integration days, creating a positive and supportive learning environment.

USM also acknowledges the guidance of the team advisors, Dr. Sarjit Singh Sidhu Junior (USM Rocket Team) and Dr. Mohammad Nishat Akhtar (WAU Rocketry Club), along with the unwavering support of the School of Aerospace Engineering and the USM Student Development Affairs and Alumni Division (BHEPA).

The outstanding performance of USM’s two teams at Teknofest 2025 is a testament to the talent, dedication, and growing expertise of Malaysian students in aerospace engineering.

This achievement will inspire future cohorts of students to pursue aerospace innovation and strengthen USM’s role as a leader in advancing aerospace education and research.

Text & Photo: School of Aerospace Engineering, USM/Editing: Marziana Mohamed Alias