Teenagers across Ukraine shared their visions for preserving the country’s space heritage in a recent competition. The event was part of the Space Heritage UA project, organized by the NGO “Association Noosphere” in partnership with Planetarium Noosphere and Universe Space Tech.
The Space Heritage UA project aims to highlight Ukraine’s contributions to space exploration, honor historical achievements, and protect space-related landmarks. From November 19 to December 15, participants submitted their ideas in five categories: posters or postcards, presentations, animations, science podcasts, and essays. Over 500 entries were received, with 372 being posters and postcards.
Teens showcased famous Ukrainian space pioneers like Yuri Kondratyuk, Leonid Kadenyuk, Pavlo Popovych, and Sergei Korolyov. They also highlighted landmarks such as the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, the Donetsk Planetarium, and the White Elephant Observatory. One standout entry by Vitaliy Plastara from Dnipro featured an animated living photo of Yuri Kondratyuk to celebrate his contributions to space science.
Many participants proposed innovative ways to honor Ukraine’s space legacy. For example, Zoryana Yemets from Kyiv Oblast suggested featuring famous engineers and astronauts on banknotes. She even designed a prototype bill with Sergei Korolyov’s portrait and the National Museum of Cosmonautics.
Several essays touched on the impact of war on Ukraine’s space industry and everyday life. 16-year-old Nikita Chernov wrote:
“I wonder if the Eye of Space sees me, so small and vulnerable compared to the vastness of the universe. Can it protect my nation from the Russian invasion, whose missiles recently struck my hometown of Tsarychanka?”
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Vladyslav Moroz expressed hope for the future:
“I believe that Ukraine’s engineers will keep creating groundbreaking technologies, and our satellites and rockets will soar into the sky once again.”
On December 19, the winners were announced:
Poster or Postcard Category:
1st place – Kateryna Ivakhnenko (Dnipro)
2nd place – Kira Usatenko (Mykolaiv)
3rd place – Sofiya Lehkodukh (Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)
Science Podcast Category:
1st place – Mariya Brailovska (Slobozhanske, Kharkiv Oblast)
2nd place – Anastasia Davydova (Yemilchyne, Zhytomyr Oblast)
3rd place – Yana Peleshak (Kropyvnytskyi)
Presentation Category:
1st place – Heorhiy But (Dnipro)
2nd place –ERC Zoryany Team(Dnipro)
3rd place – Volodymyr Yevtushok (Yemilchyne, Zhytomyr Oblast)
Animation Category:
1st place – Vitaliy Plastara (Dnipro)
2nd place – Serhiy Ked (Tulchyn, Vinnytsia Oblast)
3rd place – Hlib Tkachenko (Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)
Essay Category:
1st place – Nikita Chernov (Tsarychanka, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)
2nd place – Vladyslav Ilnytskyi (Dnipro)
3rd place – Oleksandr Sobolev (Prybuzke, Mykolaiv Oblast)
A special award was also given to Vladyslav Moroz from Kryvyi Rih for his heartfelt essay. All winners received certificates and prizes from the Association Noosphere.
The project also featured three educational lectures. Oleksandr Burlaka, a Universe Space Tech researcher, shared facts about Ukraine’s space history and future. Yegor Tur, a senior space guide at Planetarium Noosphere, explained why planetariums are considered windows to the cosmos. Tatiana Mizichenko, deputy director of the StartUm youth development center, showcased Dnipropetrovsk’s space treasures. Physicist Viktor Kuznetsov introduced students to “listening” to the universe.
Nearly 400 teens joined the lectures, gaining insights into space exploration and Ukraine’s cosmic heritage.
