The Cosmos Astronomy Club under the Department of Physics, MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), organised Space Axpo 2026 on 22–23 August 2026, celebrating National Space Day and its theme, “Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership.” The two-day event was organised in collaboration with Aeronautics and Space Exploration (AXSX) and supported by sponsors Arjuna Space AI and Spactisu.

The event brought together experts, students, innovators and space enthusiasts through a series of talks, exhibitions, a hackathon and hands-on workshops focused on space science and technology.

Day 1: Exploring India’s Space Capabilities

The event commenced with an inaugural session featuring distinguished speakers from the defence, space and academic sectors.

Shri Shirish Deshmukh, President, Defence Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, addressed the gathering and shared insights from his decades of experience in developing electronic control systems for missiles, including Agni and Nag. Having worked closely with Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, he offered valuable perspectives on India’s technological journey and advancements in defence systems.

Shri Hiren Bhatt, Former Scientist, ISRO, spoke about Remote Sensing, highlighting its applications and significance in space technology.

The inaugural session concluded with an address by Prof. Dr. Arvind Shaligram, MD and CEO, SPPU Research Park Foundation and Director, ISRO-SPPU Space Technology Cell, who discussed the challenges and opportunities in future ISRO missions.

Exhibition Showcases Space Innovation

Following the inauguration, the dignitaries visited an exhibition featuring projects and initiatives from organisations and individuals working across space science and technology.

The exhibition featured GMRT-NCRA (Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope–National Centre for Radio Astrophysics), Cosmos Astronomy Club, AXSX, Arjuna Space AI and Spactisu, along with individual innovators who showcased their work and offered participants an opportunity to explore emerging developments in the sector.

Hackathon: Solving Space Technology Challenges

The first day also featured a Space Technology Hackathon, where participants worked on problem statements across two categories—Software and Hardware. The hackathon encouraged participants to apply their technical knowledge, creativity and problem-solving skills to challenges inspired by the space sector.

Day 2: Hands-on Learning and Space Exploration

The second day featured two hands-on workshops on Rocketry and Avionics and Rover Technology. Participants gained practical exposure to the fundamentals of rocket systems and rover technology, followed by rocket launches and rover testing, translating their learning into real-world applications.

Valedictory Session

The event concluded with an engaging valedictory session featuring Prof. Dr. Yogesh Wadadekar, Professor, TIFR-NCRA, who spoke on Radio Astronomy and the search for life on other worlds.

Ms. Snigdha Narra, Co-founder and CEO, Arjuna Space AI, addressed the participants on Geospatial Intelligence, offering insights into its growing applications and relevance to the future of space technology.

The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, recognising the achievements of participants across the various competitions and activities.

Space Axpo 2026 provided a platform for students and space enthusiasts to learn from experts, engage with emerging technologies and experience the possibilities of space exploration through hands-on learning and innovation.