On April 2, 2024, an open meeting was held at the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, bringing together students from domestic universities with Kazakh cosmonaut, Kazakhstan’s National Hero, Major General of Aviation, and Chairman of the Board of JSC “Baiterek” Aydin Aimbetov. The event was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Baikonur Cosmodrome and the International Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics.
The meeting gathered students from various universities, including 10 second-year students specializing in Data Science at the AIU School of Information Science and Technology. Future IT specialists eagerly listened as Aydin Aimbetov shared insights into pre-flight preparations, scientific research conducted in orbit, and the prospects for Kazakhstan’s space industry development.
A special focus of the discussion was on the development of Kazakhstan’s national space program. The country is actively advancing its aerospace sector, represented by a wide range of scientific and engineering institutions, including Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary National Company, the National Center for Space Research and Technology, the Republican Center for Space Communications, the Kazakhstan-Russia joint enterprise "Baiterek," and the Institute of Space Technology and Engineering.
Additionally, Gennady Alekseevich Saenko, a representative of the Russian State Corporation "Roscosmos" in Kazakhstan, addressed the students. He spoke about international cooperation in space exploration, the future of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and opportunities for Kazakhstani specialists in the field. Specific topics included the modernization of the "Zenit-M" launch complex, specialist training, the implementation of new technologies, and environmental safety in space launches.
An important part of the discussion was future projects, such as the development of an eco-friendly rocket carrier, satellite launches, and the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure. Kazakhstan also presented its achievements in satellite communications and remote Earth sensing, along with plans to modernize Baikonur and promote space tourism.
The meeting was interactive, allowing AIU students to ask questions about the daily routine of cosmonauts in orbit, working in a zero-gravity environment, and the role of IT specialists in the space industry.
For AIU students, this event was both educational and inspiring, opening new horizons in scientific research and high technology. The university expresses its gratitude to the organizers for the invitation and to the students for their active participation!
