Breaking barriers and reaching for the stars: the journey of Nargiz Aliyeva

Author: Nargiz Aliyeva/ Editor: Viktoriia Kravets

The vastness of space has always been a place of endless possibilities. It represents the unknown, the future, and the dreams of those daring enough to reach for it. For many young people, space is a symbol of ambition, innovation, and the power of collective action, rather than just rockets and satellites. In a world full of challenges, it is the young generation that brings hope, proving that with resilience and determination, barriers can be broken and dreams can become reality.

A dream is born

Growing up in Azerbaijan, I always looked at the night sky with wonder. The stars seemed like a piece of hope, whispering that anything was possible. But the path to space was not clear for young people, especially for women. Despite my passion for space exploration, I was often met with doubt. “This field is not for you,” they said. “It’s too complicated.” “Women don’t lead in space engineering.” These words, instead of discouraging me, fuelled my determination.

I believed that space, like Europe, should belong to everyone — regardless of gender, background, or nationality.

I refused to accept that the sky was the limit. I wanted to go beyond, to prove that young people, regardless of their gender, could make a difference in the space sector. My journey was about paving the way for others, creating opportunities, and showing that with unity, trust, and knowledge, the impossible could be achieved.

Overcoming barriers in a male-dominated field

When I joined CanSat Azerbaijan, a national space technology competition, I was eager to contribute. But being a young woman in STEM came with its challenges. Many doubted my ability to lead, and I often found myself working twice as hard to prove my worth. Still, I stayed committed to the core European values I believe in — equality, inclusion, and mutual respect. Despite the obstacles, I took charge, demonstrating my skills in project management, engineering, and leadership.

Leading my team, CanStellar, I worked on an ambitious satellite project, one that would not only represent Azerbaijan in global competitions but also inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts. It was not an easy road. There were moments of doubt, setbacks, and nights spent troubleshooting technical issues. But every challenge was an opportunity to grow stronger.

Through collaboration, innovation, and persistence, we successfully built and launched our CanSat satellite, making history for our team. This achievement proved that when young people work together across borders and respect each other’s voices — key values of the Young European Ambassadors network — we can achieve more than we ever imagined. Our success led us to the international stage, the CanSat Competition organised by NASA and the American Astronautical Society in the United States. We proved that young people, when given the right opportunities and support, can achieve extraordinary things.

Founding AESR: a vision for the future

My journey in space did not end with the competition. I realised that Azerbaijan needed a platform where young people passionate about aerospace and engineering could come together, learn, and innovate. This led me to create the Aerospace Engineering and Space Research (AESR) Club, a youth-led initiative dedicated to advancing space education, hands-on research, and international collaboration. AESR was built on the same principles I admire in the European Union — openness, empowerment through education, and cross-border cooperation.

Through AESR, we organise workshops, mentorship programmes, and networking events, connecting students with professionals in the aerospace sector. Our club became a space where knowledge was shared, ideas were born, and the next generation of space leaders was nurtured. It was proof that when young people take initiative, real change happens.

The power of European values in space exploration

As a Young European Ambassador, I strongly believe in the values of unity, trust, and innovation, principles that are essential not only in diplomacy but also in space exploration. Space is about collaboration. The greatest space missions in history have been achieved through international cooperation, bringing together the brightest minds from different backgrounds to work toward a common goal.

In AESR, we embrace these values. We have built a team based on mutual respect and trust, ensuring that every member, regardless of gender or background, has a voice. We are actively engaging with the European teams we met during the CanSat competition, exchanging knowledge, ideas, and experiences. These connections are helping us to grow, strengthening our understanding of international cooperation, and opening doors for future collaborations.

Inspiring the next generation

Beyond our own success, we wanted to inspire others. We launched workshops, mentorship programmes, and educational events, encouraging more young people, especially girls, to explore careers in space and technology. Representation matters, and by seeing a young woman lead in STEM, many girls realised that they, too, could dream big.

One of my most memorable moments was speaking to a group of high school students. A young girl approached me afterward, her eyes shining with excitement. “I want to be an engineer like you,” she said. That was when I truly understood the impact of our work. In that moment l understood, it was not just about launching a satellite, it was about launching dreams.

A future built on trust and innovation

The journey of young leaders in space is far from over. There are still many barriers to break, challenges to overcome, and discoveries to be made. But one thing is clear: the future is in our hands. By staying true to the values of trust, unity, and innovation — and by connecting with like-minded peers through initiatives like the Young European Ambassadors — we can build a future where space belongs to everyone.

My journey is not just a personal one — it reflects the collective potential of a region ready to contribute to Europe’s shared future in science, innovation, and cooperation.