Space technique and technology

The history of the development of the Department of Space Engineering and Technology

For the development of the space industry in Kazakhstan, taking into account the urgent need for specialists in the rocket and space industry, in 2009 the Department of Space Engineering and Technology was opened at the L.N. Gumilev ENU.

The department trains engineering personnel for enterprises of the space industry of Kazakhstan in the design, production and operation of space technology. In particular, graduates of the department find their places in the leading enterprises of the space industry of Kazakhstan such as JSC "National Company "Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary", joint Kazakh-French enterprise "Galam" LLP, JSC "Republican Center for Space Communications", etc.

In 2009-2015, the Department of Space Engineering and Technology was headed by Professor Umirzak Tazhigalievich Kasymov.

Professor U.T. Kasymov is a graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty of the Bauman Moscow Higher Technical School (currently Moscow State Technical University) He has a degree in Rocket Launch Complex and has production experience in the actual design and mass production of cruise and tactical missile systems of the Soviet Union. Currently, he continues to work as a professor at the department.

The educational program of the Russian Federation for aerospace specialties was compiled at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, which takes into account almost all aspects of the state and development of the aerospace industry, including: design, production and operation of aircraft of all types.

The department has a special design and technology bureau (SKTB) "Aerospace and Special Engineering", the chief designer of which is Professor Kasymov U.T.

At this SKTB, preliminary developments of solid-fuel rockets for scientific and technological purposes, ultralight class aircraft, aerostatic aircraft and various technical devices are being conducted using modern CAD technologies. Students and undergraduates of the department also take part in the implementation of these design developments.

From March 2015 to April 2016, the department was headed by Associate Professor Tulegulov Amandos Dabysovich.

Tulegulov A.D. is a graduate of the Tashkent Polytechnic Institute named after A.R. Beruni (now Tashkent Technical University) specialty automated control systems (ACS), Candidate of Physical and Technical Sciences.

He published 6 textbooks on special disciplines in Russian and Kazakh, approved by the Academic Council of the L.N. Gumilev ENU, wrote UMKDS in 2 languages in 15 special disciplines, published 66 articles in domestic and foreign journals and at international conferences. The total number of publications is more than 200. There are publications in the SCOPUS database, a textbook "Information systems in production" has been published under the stamp of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He took advanced training courses "Reliability and Quality" in Penza, Russia in 2012, and underwent professional retraining at the Siberian State Aerospace University named after Academician M.F. Reshetnev under the program "Theoretical Training in the course of General Design of flying Spacecraft" in Krasnoyarsk, Russia in 2013.

In 2016-2018, 2020-2021, Professor Yergaliev Dastan Syrymovich headed the department.

Professor Yergaliev D.S. is a graduate of the Kuibyshev Aviation Institute named after ak. S.P.Korolev in 1992 (now Samara State Aerospace University named after ak. S.P.Korolev), specializing in "Technical operation of aircraft and engines", Candidate of Technical Sciences (cipher 05.02.18 – Theory of mechanisms and machines) - 2004., IMMASH named after ak. Dzholdasbekov, Almaty;

Candidate of Technical Sciences (code 05.07.07 – Control and testing of aircraft and their systems) – 2010, Samara State Aerospace University named after S.P. Korolev, Samara, Russian Federation, Associate Professor (code 05.07.00 – Aviation and Rocket and Space Technology).

He published 280 scientific and educational works, including copyright certificate No. 39013 for the invention "Hydraulic grab"; a positive decision on the issuance of a preliminary patent for the invention; 39 educational and methodological developments; 3 certificates for innovation proposals. There are publications in the SCOPUS database.

He completed professional retraining at the Siberian State Aerospace University named after Academician M.F. Reshetnev under the program "Theoretical training in the course of general Design of flying Spacecraft" in Krasnoyarsk, Russia in 2013.

He is the holder of the Bolashak Presidential Scholarship, completed the course "Flight Theory and Spacecraft Design" at the Berlin Technical University of Berlin in 2014.

From August 2018 to February 2020, the department was headed by Associate Professor, Candidate of Technical Sciences Zhakupova Almira Ersainovna.

Associate Professor A.E. Zhakupova is a graduate of the Chemical Faculty of East Kazakhstan State University with a degree in Chemistry, qualification "chemist", in 2001 she graduated from the Master's degree program of the S.Amanzholov EKSU with a degree in Physics, Candidate of Technical Sciences with a degree in 01.04.01 – Devices and methods of experimental Physics.

In 2021-2022, the department was headed by associate professor, PhD Akhmetov Kairat Telektesovich.

In 2008 he graduated from Aktobe State University named after K. Zhubanov. 2012-2015 – Postgraduate studies at South Ural State University with a degree in metallurgy.

 In 2022–2025, the department was headed by Abdikul Yerkulovich Ashurov, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

In 1985, he graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State University with a degree in Astronomy. In 1988-1992, he studied at the correspondence graduate school of this university. In 1995, he defended his dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Physical and mathematical Sciences (PhD) in the specialty "Astrophysics".

In 1985-2001, A.E. Ashurov worked as an assistant, senior lecturer, acting associate professor at the Department of "Astronomy" of the Faculty of Physics of Tashkent State University (now the National University of Uzbekistan). And from 2001 to 2005 he worked as Deputy Director of the Institute for Science at the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In 2005-2006, A.E. Ashurov worked as the head of the Department of Higher Mathematics at Otyrar University (Shymkent). In 2006-2007, he was a senior lecturer at the Department of  Theory and Methods of Teaching Physics at M. Auezov South Kazakhstan State University.

Since 2007, A.E. Ashurov works in the space industry. In this direction, he began his activity by working at JSC "Republican Center for Space Communications and Electromagnetic Compatibility of Radioelectronic Devices" (Astana, Akkol). In 2007-2009, he worked as a leading engineer of the Ballistic and Navigation Support Department of the Ground-based Spacecraft Control Complex "Akkol". During this time, he participated in the motion control of the first Kazakh spacecraft KazSat-1, performed calculations to determine and predict the orbit, as well as movement maneuvers. In addition, he was engaged in the development of software for the ballistics of spacecraft.

From 2009 to 2013, A.E. Ashurov worked in JSC "National Company "Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary" (Astana) in various positions: Head of the Design Department of the Center for High-precision Satellite Navigation System, Director of the Center for High-precision Satellite Navigation System and Director of the Center for Space Services. During this time, he led the work on the implementation of the project "Creation of the ground infrastructure of the high-precision satellite navigation System of the Republic of Kazakhstan", led the work on the promotion of the services of the High-precision Satellite navigation System of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Remote Sensing  System of the Earth of the Republic of  Kazakhstan, as well as led the implementation  of  the project of the Interstate  Radio Navigation Program of the CIS countries for the period 2010-2012, etc.

Since 2013, Ashurov A.E. has been working at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

From 2013 to 2014, he worked as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of General and Theoretical Physics.

Since 2014, he has been serving as a Senior Lecturer and Acting Associate Professor at the Department of Space Engineering and Technologу.

A.E. Ashurov was awarded the Tsiolkovsky K.E. Medal of the Russian Cosmonautics Federation, the Certificate of Honor of the Interstate Council "Radionavigation" of  the CIS Executive Committee, the Breastplate of the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan in honor of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's space flight, and the Certificate of Honor of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He has 80 scientific and methodological works, including 8 textbooks and 1 monograph.

Under the leadership of A.E. Ashurov in 2023, on the basis of the department, doctoral studies in the department’s profile and two new areas of master’s training were opened: “Earth remote sensing technologies” and “Aerospace engineering”.

He is a member of the Industry Council and the section of the Scientific and Technical Council of the Aerospace Committee of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Since September 1, 2025, Sakhanov Kanat Zhaksylykovich has been working as the head of the Department of Space Engineering and Technology.

The first bachelor's degree graduation was carried out in 2015 in the number of 29 people. The first set of undergraduates was carried out in 2015 in the profile direction (1.5 years of study) in the specialty 6M074600 - "Space engineering and technology" under the program SPIID-2 (state program of industrial and innovative development). Since 2017, the training of masters in the scientific and pedagogical field has been carried out.

The SPIID is a catalyst and the basis for the diversification of the entire economy, it is the creation of conditions for the development and establishment of the manufacturing industry as the main driver of the country's economy.

During the entire existence of the department, 328 bachelors and 274 masters have graduated.

From December 2013 to December 2017, the department participated in the Tempus–Sesremo international educational project "Strengthening education in space-based remote sensing for monitoring of eco systems in Israel, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan". As a result of this project, changes were made to the educational program of the specialty "Space Engineering and Technology" and seven textbooks with the logo of the Tempus–Sesremo project were published, including one textbook in English.

From 2016 to 2019, the department participated in the international Erasmus++ project "Development of two cycle innovative curriculum in microelectronic engineering" (DOCMEN) and APPLE, funded by the European Commission. The project was coordinated by the Krakow Technical University (Poland) and the Center "Engineering Consulting and Management for Space Technologies" (Berlin, Germany). The project partners are 16 leading universities from Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Poland, Armenia, Israel and Kazakhstan, and 2 research organizations. The main area of research was related to the modernization of educational programs and the development of innovative courses in micro- and nanoelectronic technologies, as well as their introduction into the educational process in bachelor's and master's degrees in accordance with the Bologna process and best European practices.

Tasks for the training of specialists within the framework of the GPIIR-2 projects of the L. N. Gumilev Eurasian National University:

- development of new educational programs;

- development of specialists in accordance with the requirements of the enterprise;

- professional development of teachers;

- creation of innovative laboratories;

- providing a base of experience and employment.

The program was developed taking into account the experience of implementing the program of accelerated industrial and innovative development of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2010-2014 and is its logical continuation.

From June 18 to July 1, 2017, a two-week internship was held at the Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria) within the framework of the project "Development of a two-level innovative curriculum in the field of microelectronic engineering", under the ERASMUS++ program, advanced training in higher education, in which L.N.Gumilev ENU is a partner. Representatives of the Department of Space Engineering and Technology, PhD doctoral student Pazylbek S.A., senior lecturer Demesinova S.S. and lecturer Abdrashev O.K. went from our university for an internship. The overall goal of the project was to consider in detail practical issues related to the application of nanomaterials in microelectronics, the design and manufacture of microsystems and CAD of digital and analog circuits. According to the results of the scientific internship, certificates were awarded for the studied courses.

On October 25-26, 2018, Astana hosted an exhibition of the results of the Erasmus+ PPVO projects and an Information Day of the program in Kazakhstan. This event brought together more than 170 representatives of 14 regions of higher education institutions from all over Kazakhstan, embassies of EU countries and other interested organizations. The event was organized by the National Office of the Erasmus+ program in cooperation with the Representative Office of the European Union in Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Council of Rectors of Universities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual Media and Culture of the European Commission.  The event was attended by the head of the Cooperation Department of the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, Mr. Johannes Stenbeck Madsen, Vice-Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askhat Aimagambetov, Rector of the ENU. L.N.Gumilyova, as well as Chairman of the Council of Rectors Yerlan Sydykov, National coordinator of the Erasmus+ program in Kazakhstan Shaizada Tasbulatova, faculty and students, undergraduates of ENU. The venue for the event was provided by L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University

Widely recognized as one of the most successful EU programs, Erasmus+ is a concrete example of the positive impact of European integration and international cooperation. A special place among the components of the program belongs to the projects on "Enhancing the potential of higher education" (HPE), aimed at promoting the development of higher education in the country. Most of these projects presented their achieved results at the exhibition.

At the exhibition of the results of the Erasmus+ PPVO projects, the educational project "Development of a two-level innovation program in microelectronic engineering" DOCMEN developed by the Department of Space Engineering and Technology took the III place of honor among 18 projects of the PPVO of Kazakhstan. The purpose of the project was to support the modernization of higher education in microelectronics at target universities of the Republic of Kazakhstan through the updating of two-level programs in response to new developments in this field, taking into account the demand in the labor market in accordance with the Bologna process and best practices. The coordinator of the educational project "Development of a two-level innovative program in microelectronic engineering" DOCMEN was Professor of the Department of KTiT D.S. Ergaliev, responsible for the project: head of the department A.E. Zhakupova and teachers of the department: N.N. Kerimbai, R.B. Seksenbayeva, B.A. Prmantaeva, G.A. Anuar, A.E. Ashurov.

In the period from September 19 to 22, 2018, Professor of the Department of Space Engineering and Technology at L.N. Gumilyov ENU Yergaliev D.S. and Associate Professor of this Department Ashurov A.E. participated in the coordination meeting of the Erasmus+ DOCMEN (Development of two cycle innovative curriculum in microelectronic engineering) project at the Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy).

This project was implemented from 2015 to 2019. The aim of the project was to support the modernization of higher education in the field of microelectronics by introducing two cycles of training programs in accordance with the requirements of the labor market and in accordance with the Bologna process. Universities from Israel, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Italy, Armenia and Kazakhstan are participating in the project. The project coordinator is the Technical University of Berlin.

The following issues were included on the agenda of this meeting:

- the status of the project in 2018;

- clarification of project activities for the upcoming additional third year of the 2019 project.

- discussion of the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of MicSO offices;

- training on the implementation of MicSO offices in universities.

In order to ensure the quality of the planned results and compliance with the deadlines for the implementation of the project, the following methodological seminars were held:

- seminar on the project distribution strategy for the last year;

- seminar on quality assurance of new or updated educational programs;

- Soft skills workshop for engineers.

In accordance with the issues on the agenda, the reports of the target universities on the project activities were heard and analyzed and a discussion was held. The coordinator of this project, Prof. Ergaliev D.S. He described in detail the status of the project and the work being carried out at ENU.

Based on the results of the meeting, decisions were made for the successful completion of the last stage, timely and high-quality completion of this project. It was decided to hold a final meeting at the Krakow University of Technology (Krakow, Poland) on May 02-03, 2019. Based on the results of the review of curricula in the field of microelectronics, it was decided that external evaluations of curricula should be conducted and each university should develop indicators that external reviewers should use to assess the quality of new or updated modules. In addition, before the end of the project, it was recommended to sign bilateral agreements between the faculties of partner universities (or between faculties, departments, departments of partner universities) to ensure further cooperation after the completion of the project.

For the successful completion of the project, the partner universities have created a final flyer with the results of the project at each of the universities. One of the important results of the DOCMEN project is the functioning of the Microelectronic Engineering Services Office – MicSO. At ENU, the Office is headed by a head, whose appointment is carried out by order of the rector. The office was established at the Faculty of Physics and Technology of the University. The main tasks are: using the microelectronics laboratory (MicLab) in the educational process of the University, attracting ENU students to carry out scientific projects and providing services for engineering and technical work commissioned by third-party organizations within the competence of the Office.

The discussion was followed by a question and answer session, where the following issues were discussed: the possibility of purchasing new equipment, the functions of MicSo offices, the involvement of industrial sectors in the activities of universities and project activities.

A new idea of the microelectronics project for the new ERASMUS+ application was discussed: the creation of joint master's programs between Israeli and Armenian universities with the methodological support of European partners.

In the period from May 2 to May 4, 2019, the final conference on the international scientific and educational program Erasmus+ DOCMEN “Development of two cycle innovative curriculum in microelectronic engineering” was held at the Krakow University of Technology.

• On May 2, after the registration of the participants, Kinga Korniejenko, the chief coordinator from the Krakow University of Technology, delivered a welcoming speech. Then Elena Einhorn from the Berlin Technical University brought practical information to all participants of the conference.
• Conference participants:
• Technical University of Berlin, Germany;
• Sofia Technical University, Bulgaria;
• Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy;
• ECM space technologies, GmbH, Germany;
• Caspian University, Kazakhstan;
• Shakarim Mountains State University. Semey, Kazakhstan;
• North Kazakhstan State University, Kazakhstan;
• Eurasian National University, Nur Sultan (Astana);
• Yerevan State University, Armenia;
• National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Armenia;
• European Regional Academy of Education, Armenia;
• Gavar State University, Armenia;
• Jerusalem Azrieli College of Engineering, Israel;
• Bar-Ilan University, Israel;
• Sami Shamoon Engineering College, Israel;
• Institute of Mountain Technologies. Holona, Israel;
• National Center for Research and Technology, Kazakhstan;

The coordinating partners from Kazakhstan, Armenia and Israel presented their presentations on the work done during the period from 2016 to 2019.

Professor Moti Haridim conducted a workshop on a new course developed in Israel.

Then Professors Arsen Babajanyan (Armenia) and Gulsara Berikkhanova (Kazakhstan) conducted a master class on a new course developed in Armenia and Kazakhstan.

Elena Einhorn from the Technical University of Berlin told about the ways of commercialization through micro-offices.

On May 3, Arnold Sterenhartz, a professor from the Technical University of Berlin, held a workshop on the dissemination and sustainability of the project.

Then Elena Einhorn from the Berlin Technical University took the floor and spoke about the preparation of final reports, as well as management and administration issues.

The educational process at the department is conducted according to educational programs (OP) at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Bachelor's degree training is conducted according to OP 6B07146 – "Space engineering and technology" (included in the training area 6B071 – "Engineering and Engineering").  Until 2023, the training of specialists at the master's level was carried out only according to OP 7M07146 – "Space engineering and Technology".

In 2023, the department opened a doctoral program in OP 8D07146 – "Space Engineering and Technology". In addition, two new Master's degree programs have been developed: 7M07147 – "Earth Remote Sensing Technologies" and 7M07148 - "Aerospace Engineering"). Thus, the number of OP at the master's level has reached up to three.

To date, the department has 188 undergraduate students, 47 graduate students, and 2 doctoral students.

The training process involves educational laboratories with a total area of 429.3 square meters, classrooms for teaching staff, as well as classrooms and laboratories of service departments. The premises are equipped with modern educational furniture, traditional and multimedia whiteboards, projectors, modern personal computers. The department has educational laboratories such as a Laboratory complex for the pilot production of robotic devices and input control of components; a laboratory for receiving and processing satellite images; Laboratory of Spacecraft Design and Construction, etc.

The Department pays special attention to the development of international cooperation in the field of education and science. Currently, there are connections with leading foreign universities such as Berlin Technical University (Berlin, Germany), Palatsky University (Olomut, Czech Republic), Carlos III University (Madrid, Spain), Samara State Aerospace University named after S.P.Korolev (Samara, Russia), Penza State University University (Penza, Russia), National Academy of Aviation (Baku, Azerbaijan), etc.

The teaching staff of the Department of Space Engineering and Technology consists of 19 teachers (including part-time teachers), including 2 doctors of Sciences, 10 candidates, 4 PhD doctors, 3 Masters of Sciences. Thus, the settlement rate is 84%.

Scientific direction of the faculty:

1. Motion of spacecraft (Ashurov A.E.).
2. Development of technologies for the design and serial production of aerostatic aircraft (Kasymov U.T.).
3. Intelligent control systems of aircraft (Moldamurat H.).
4. Investigation of the physico-chemical properties of composite materials of an aircraft (Zhakupova A.E.).
5. Spacecraft power supply systems (Kalmanova D.M.).
6. Search for promising materials in rocket and space technology using quantum chemical modeling calculations (Bazarbek A.B.).
7. Information measuring and control systems (Abdirashev O.K., Anuar G.A.).
8. Programming of robotic systems (Zhumabaeva A.S.).

To strengthen the potential of the department and open a doctoral program, in 2023 an agreement was signed on the creation of a Consortium between L.N. Gumilev ENU, JSC NC Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary and a joint Kazakh-French enterprise Galam LLP. The purpose of the Consortium is to combine material and human resources to create conditions for high–quality training for the space industry of Kazakhstan.

From December 19 to December 29, 2023, teachers of the department at Galam LLP took advanced training courses on the topic "Designing spacecraft".

Considering the importance of linking the educational process with production and business, the department has signed a number of memorandums of cooperation with some machine-building enterprises such as Aerospace and Special Engineering LLP, NC Kazakhstan Engineering JSC, Tumar Innovation Development Center LLP, etc. In addition, there are close ties with the National Satellite Communications Operator of the Republic of Kazakhstan JSC "Republican Space Communications Center" and the leading scientific center of our country in the field of space technology JSC "National Center for Space Research and Technology".

All this creates a condition for training personnel who meet the modern requirements of employers.