[Call for Participants] The First Step for Junior High/High School/KOSEN Students to Challenge the 'Space Edition of Koshien'. Workshops for 'EPSILON CUP2026 Osumi-Kimotsuki (Space Koshien Rocket Division 2026 Kagoshima Tournament)' to be Held in July in Miyazaki City, Kimotsuki Town, and Kagoshima City

Kyushu Mirai Kyoso (General Incorporated Association) (Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Representative Director: Shunsaku Uemura) is participating as a member of the Executive Committee for the Space Koshien Rocket Division 2026 Kagoshima Tournament, and will cooperate in managing workshops for 'EPSILON CUP2026 OSUMI-KIMOTSUKI supported by IHI Group — Space Koshien Rocket Division 2026 Kagoshima Tournament (November 7, 2026 (Saturday) · Kimotsuki Town, Kagoshima Prefecture)' to be held in July 2026 at three venues: Miyazaki City, Kimotsuki Town, and Kagoshima City.

In the tournament, teams of junior high school, high school, and KOSEN (college of technology) students will launch model rockets carrying quail eggs, competing in accuracy of reaching target altitude and flight time, and whether they can safely recover the eggs without damage. The winning team of the Kagoshima Tournament will be recommended as a participating team for the national tournament scheduled for February 13-14, 2027 in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Tournament Image (Venue adjacent to JAXA Uchinoura Space Center)

Pre-Workshops to be Held in July in Miyazaki City, Kimotsuki Town, and Kagoshima City

The workshops will systematically teach the basics of rocketry, design, manufacturing, safety management, and launch preparation — all necessary for tournament participation. Even teams trying rocket building and launching for the first time can participate with peace of mind.

Participants will experience building and launching A-type model rockets, and learn the basics of rocket design and flight using the free design simulation software 'OpenRocket Simulator.'

Specialized knowledge is not required from the start. What is needed is curiosity to think 'why does it fly?' and 'how can we make it fly better?' along with the spirit to challenge together with teammates.

Venues and Dates

[Miyazaki City Venue]
July 12, 2026 (Sunday) 10:00-16:00 Venue: Miyazaki Prefectural Miyazaki Kita High School
[Kimotsuki Town Venue]
July 26, 2026 (Sunday) 10:00-16:00 Venue: Kimotsuki Town Cultural Center
[Kagoshima City Venue]
July 27, 2026 (Monday) 10:00-16:00 Venue: Kagoshima Prefectural Konan High School
*Times are tentative. Check-in will start about 30 minutes before the start.

Target

Junior high school, high school, and KOSEN students

Capacity

Approximately 30 people per venue. Participation in teams of 3 or more is welcome.
(If capacity is exceeded, selection may be conducted based on school, grade, etc.)

Participation Fee

Free
*Material costs are covered by the executive committee; transportation to the venue and lunch are participants' responsibility.

Contents

Building and launching A-type model rockets, design lectures using 'OpenRocket Simulator' for the Kagoshima Tournament, special lectures by private companies, etc.

Lecturer

Keisuke Maeda
Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Department of Space Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology
Director, Space Koshien Executive Committee; Producer, Kyushu Mirai Kyoso

Items to Bring

If possible, bring a PC with 'OpenRocket Simulator' downloaded for free in advance. Bring indoor shoes, writing utensils, glue stick, scissors, ballpoint pen, cellophane tape, 30cm ruler, as well as a hat for heatstroke prevention, drinks, lunch, snacks, etc. as needed.

Application Method

Apply via the dedicated participation registration form.

Application Deadline

Friday, July 3, 2026
*If the capacity is not reached, additional recruitment may be conducted after the deadline.

Lecturer Introduction

Keisuke Maeda
Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Department of Space Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology
Director, Space Koshien Executive Committee
Producer, Kyushu Mirai Kyoso

Born in 1977 in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture. Completed graduate school at Akita University. Assumed current position in June 2024. While engaged in microsatellite development at the Nakasuga Laboratory of the University of Tokyo, Astroscale Inc., and the Planetary Exploration Research Center of Chiba Institute of Technology, he has been organizing the Noshiro Space Event, Ehime Nanyo Joint Balloon Experiment, Gunma Space Award, Space Koshien, etc., conducting space education activities nationwide for a wide age range from elementary to university students. From 2026, he will assume the role of Co-creation Director for the Space Studies Program at Kagoshima Prefectural Nanshun Integrated Junior and Senior High School.

From the Space Town of Kimotsuki to the National Tournament and Then to the World Tournament

'Space Koshien' is a 'space version of Koshien' where junior high, high school, and KOSEN students nationwide compete in teams in events such as simulated satellites, balloons, and rocket launches. Experience at Space Koshien is expected to lead to the discovery and development of human resources who will support the future space industry.

In the Rocket Division, teams design, build, and launch model rockets, and verify results. In the Kagoshima Tournament, the main competition points include safely loading and recovering quail eggs without damage, and how close they can get to target altitude and flight time.

Beyond the Kagoshima Tournament lies the path to the national tournament and further to the world tournament. The national tournament is scheduled for February 13-14, 2027 in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, and the winning team of the national tournament is scheduled to participate in the world tournament in Paris, France around June 2027.

Kimotsuki Town in Kagoshima Prefecture is a 'space town' home to the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center, and is promoting initiatives to become a hub for space education. In a region deeply connected to rocket launches, the experience of junior high, high school, and KOSEN students building rockets with their own hands and launching them into the sky is a major step toward nurturing next-generation space human resources.

Developing the Ability to Trial and Error Through the Experience of Flying Rockets

For a rocket to fly straight and be recovered safely, various factors must be considered: aerodynamics, center of gravity, stability, body weight, recovery system, launch angle, wind effects, etc.

Small model rockets encapsulate the basics of space engineering and manufacturing. Participants learn practical problem-solving, teamwork, and project management by actually using their hands, thinking with teammates, trying, and reviewing results.

The experience of linking science and math knowledge to actual manufacturing and launching builds skills that will be useful not only in the aerospace field but also in various fields such as mechanical, electrical, information, materials, and design in the future.

We welcome junior high, high school, and KOSEN students who:
🚀 are interested in space and rockets
🚀 like science, physics, math, and engineering
🚀 want to try manufacturing and experiments
🚀 want to work on a goal as a team
🚀 are looking for new themes for inquiry activities or club activities
🚀 want to experience trial and error without fear of failure
🚀 aspire to be involved in space, aviation, mechanical, electrical, information, materials, design, etc. in the future

Space Koshien is a place where students can compete with peers nationwide using space-related technologies.

We are impressed by the sincere efforts of past participating students and realize the importance of having a venue for such serious competition. By aiming for Space Koshien, students can gain wide-ranging experience not only in technology but also in mission setting to solve problems, teamwork, and project management.

Students who gain experience and develop practical skills here will certainly...