Yakutia's Cholbon satellite to launch with student-led space experiments

Yakutia is set to make history with the launch of its first small spacecraft, Cholbon. The mission marks the region's entry into space exploration while offering students hands-on experience in satellite technology. Developed as part of an educational initiative, the project ties into the 100th anniversary of a major Soviet scientific expedition in the area.

The Cholbon spacecraft was designed under the Minor Academy of Sciences of Yakutia (MANS) as part of a broader educational programme. It carries 12 Arduino-compatible microcontrollers, a gamma spectrometer, and multiple sensors for scientific and learning purposes. Students across the republic will use these tools to program experiments and study space conditions.

In March 2026, officials confirmed that 42 schools and educational institutions in Yakutia were already participating in the *Cholbon* programme. The project, backed by the Sakha Ministry of Education and Roscosmos, lets pupils engage in microcontroller coding and space-based research. The spacecraft also received approval from the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) to operate on amateur radio frequencies. The launch is scheduled for December 28 at 23:00 Yakutsk time (17:00 Moscow time) from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. A *Soyuz-2.1b* rocket will carry *Cholbon* into orbit, where it will test ground-based cosmic infrastructure alongside its educational tasks. The mission aligns with celebrations for the centenary of the Yakutsk Complex Expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

The Cholbon launch will provide Yakutia's youth with direct access to space science and technology. The spacecraft's instruments and approved radio frequencies ensure practical learning opportunities in satellite operations. This mission establishes a foundation for future educational and scientific projects in the region.