USUST at the International Conference ‘Human and Space’

On 22–24 April 2026, the XXVIII International Youth Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Human and Space’ was held in Dnipro at the O. M. Makarov National Centre for Aerospace Education of Youth. The event marked the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of Physics and Technology of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, which laid the foundation for the development of rocket engineering education in the city.

‘Human and Space’ is one of the largest scientific events in Ukraine and the former CIS countries for young researchers and specialists working in the fields of space research and rocket engineering.
 
Professor Kostiantyn Sukhyi, rector of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies, joined the programme committee on behalf of USUST. Sections were coordinated by professors of the SEI ‘Aerospace Institute’: Yurii Mitikov, responsible for ‘Engines and Power Plants. Spacecraft Power Supply’, and Kostiantyn Varlan, responsible for ‘Chemical Technologies in Rocket Engineering’.
Over three days, the participants presented their research at sectional meetings and round tables, discussed scientific ideas, exchanged experience, and improved their public speaking skills.
 
Yuzhmash Machine-Building Plant also contributed to the development of the field by adding new and interesting exhibits to the museum collection.

One of the works recognised at the conference was a joint study by USUST students Bohdan Prokopenko, a first-year student, and Andrii Pavlenko, a fourth-year student, titled ‘Obtaining a clean renewable generator gas using oxygen-kerosene fuel components’. The research was supervised by Professor Yurii Mitikov. The findings open up prospects for significantly reducing the cost and simplifying the preparation of the first reusable stage of a vehicle for its next launch. Following the research, an application for a potential invention has been submitted.

The participation of USUST representatives in the ‘Human and Space 2026’ conference once again demonstarted the university’s active role in advancing aerospace science and training young researchers. The involvement of academic staff and students in international scientific dialogue, the presentation of their own developments, and the recognition received show the high quality of specialist training and the relevance of the research conducted at the university.
 
USUST continues to strengthen its position as one of the centres shaping the engineering and scientific elite in the field of rocket and space technologies.