Rabat – The US Embassy in Morocco has joined forces with the Moroccan Initiative for Space Industry (MISI) and the Mohammed VI High School of Excellence (LM6E) to launch the first edition of the AMAZE CanSat Academy, a program designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in space and inspire young Moroccan talent.
The US Embassy described the initiative as “a flagship training program aimed at fostering close bilateral collaboration on space issues, while inspiring the next generation of space innovators.”
The academy was officially launched on December 5 at LM6E in Benguerir.
The program uses a training model inspired by mini-satellites commonly employed in US high schools, integrating material “adapted from NASA’s systems engineering lifecycle” and enriched with virtual masterclasses delivered by US space specialists.
These elements “show American leadership in space innovation,” the embassy said in a press statement.
The academy will unfold in multiple phases, blending on-site workshops and virtual learning sessions. It will conclude in May 2026 with a full CanSat launch demonstration.
Participants will design, build, and deploy a CanSat, a small, soda-can-sized educational satellite equipped with sensors, coding components, and recovery systems that allow students to simulate real missions and analyze flight data.
A cohort of 30 students was selected for this inaugural edition, chosen for what the embassy called their “academic excellence, problem-solving abilities, and leadership potential.”
They will receive an immersive introduction to space science, engineering, and mission architecture.
The launch event at LM6E brings together scientific demonstrations, expert briefings, and motivational talks, marking the start of a program that aims to create a shared technical culture between the two countries.
By training participants on NASA’s standards, the academy “promotes international collaboration and common technical frameworks for the next era of space exploration,” the embassy explained.
As Morocco steps up its efforts to cultivate a homegrown space ecosystem, initiatives like the AMAZE CanSat Academy illustrate how international partnerships are feeding into the country’s broader ambitions.
By opening avenues for advanced training and exposure to US expertise, the program aligns with Morocco’s drive to equip its youth with the skills needed for emerging high-tech fields.
