Polycarbonate-Bodied Rocket Designed by Hatay Youth Reaches TEKNOFEST Finals
An innovative rocket produced by young people in Payas, Hatay, is aiming for an award in the competition in Aksaray.
The PayaSTEM PAIROC Rocketry Team from Payas, Hatay, is competing to win an award in the TEKNOFEST 2026 Rocket Competition with their new rocket featuring a lightweight polycarbonate body.
Team Establishment and Success History
The PayaSTEM PAIROC Rocketry Team, consisting of 11 students established in 2022 at the center in the Payas district, won the Best Team Spirit award in their very first year of participation. Returning from the competition with the Best Advisor award in 2023, the team has continued their work without interruption.
Innovative Rocket Design and Features
This year, the team developed a brand-new rocket featuring a polycarbonate body design. Targeted to exceed an altitude of two thousand nine hundred meters thanks to its lightweight structure, the rocket will undergo jury evaluation at the Hisar Firing Range in Aksaray.
Technical Details and Target Altitude
Center instructor and team advisor Ata Ersoy emphasized that the rocket's flight computer was designed by the students. Stating that the polycarbonate body is lighter than fiberglass, officials aim to reach a higher altitude in this manner.
Youth Excitement and Expectations for the Competition
Team captain Kayhan Övünç Uysal stated that they have been participating in the TEKNOFEST Rocket Competition for five years, while software and media officer Zişan Özkay noted that their goal is to reach the highest level in altitude.