The journey to space can begin even in a university lab

FST Student activity Science and research

Rocket engines, miniature satellites, and prototypes of vehicles designed for the exploration of other planets – such as Mars. These were just some of the topics covered at the student conference Space Night, hosted on April 25 by the UWB Robotics team at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

Student teams involved in space exploration from all over the Czech Republic attended the conference. For them, it was an opportunity to share know-how, inspire one another, and establish new collaborations.

The host team, UWB Robotics, used the occasion to present their new robotic rover model, Camelus1, developed for the international Anatolian Rover Challenge, which simulates robotic missions to Mars and the Moon. The topic of rovers was also addressed by the RoverOVA team from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at VSB-TUO in Ostrava – one of the pioneers of this field in the Czech Republic – who provided valuable historical and practical insights into the development of mobile robots inspired by Mars rovers.

The scope of the conference extended far beyond rovers. The Yspace team from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at Brno University of Technology introduced attendees to the latest developments in student-built CubeSat satellites. Meanwhile, CTU Space Research from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague presented their preparations for the European Rocketry Challenge. A representative of the Czech Rocket Society – an enthusiast group focused on rocketry – discussed rocket fuels, a new rocket project, and offered technical insights into safety and materials experiments.

The event also had an inspiring dimension, brought by the LASAR team, which developed the first Czech student satellite and aims to use it to popularize space exploration in schools through amateur radio projects. LASAR is made up mostly of high school students and last year won an award at an international competition in Houston, Texas, for a project that proposed remotely repairing communication with non-functional satellites; one of the awards came directly from a panel of NASA experts. Among the team members is Anna Krebsová, a 4th-year student from the Mikulášské Square Grammar School in Plzeň, who also participated in the conference.

"The Space Night conference proves that student-led space engineering is not just about technology, but above all about a supportive community. The atmosphere at the event was full of energy, shared motivation, and a collective belief that the journey to space can begin in a university lab or even a garage," said Václav Mašek, head of the Plzeň team and a doctoral student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. He and his colleagues regularly participate in outreach events such as the Science and Technology Days, European Researchers’ Night, Inovujeme Plzeň, and presentations at high schools. They are happy to welcome anyone interested in space – those interested can apply via the UWB Robotics website or the team's Instagram page.

The event was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Vladimír Duchek, who praised not only the technical quality of the student projects but also their role in promoting science and fostering cross-disciplinary cooperation.

The Space Night conference was held with the support of the Student Activity Grant (GRAS) of the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň.