Chepang students’ hand-built satellite reaches space
In a historic first for Nepal, a nano-satellite crafted by Chepang students in Chitwan successfully reached space following its launch from China on Wednesday morning, marking a remarkable achievement in the nation’s scientific landscape. The 1.2-kilogram, tube-shaped satellite, aptly named Slippers to Sat, lifted off at 9:45 AM (NST) aboard the Kinetica-1 rocket. Rishav Adhikari, the project manager, confirmed that the satellite is now in orbit and awaiting its first communication window with Nepal.
What makes this accomplishment truly extraordinary is the background of the students involved. Just two years ago, many had never touched a computer and were hesitant even to switch one on. Today, nine determined students—including Amrit Chepang of Navodaya Secondary School—have sent their own creation into space. These students were selected from a pool of 120, who underwent rigorous training in basic electronics and coding across three public schools in Lamjung, Chitwan, and Makwanpur.
Despite its compact size, Slippers to Sat is a technological marvel. It carries two high-capacity cameras capable of transmitting real-time images of Nepal’s forests and water sources. Additionally, the satellite is equipped with an electromagnetic system designed to detect early signals of earthquakes, along with technology allowing its orbit to be adjusted remotely from Earth. While the mission was initially projected to last five years, current forecasts suggest that intense solar activity may limit its operational lifespan to approximately a year and a half.
Engineers made an initial attempt to establish contact with the satellite during its brief nine-minute pass over Nepal at noon, though the attempt was unsuccessful. The next communication window opens at midnight, and teams will continue efforts until the link is successfully established. Once fully operational, the satellite’s data will be accessible globally to licensed amateur radio operators.
Slippers to Sat represents Nepal’s third privately coordinated satellite initiative and has already drawn significant attention—not only for its successful launch into orbit but also for the improbable hands behind its creation. The project underscores the transformative potential of education, determination, and community support, demonstrating that even students from remote and underserved backgrounds can achieve feats once thought impossible.
For Nepal, this milestone is more than a scientific success; it is a story of inspiration, signaling that innovation and ambition can thrive anywhere. As the Chepang students eagerly await the first communication from Slippers to Sat, the nation watches with pride, ready to embrace a new era of technological achievement and space exploration.
