Samara city
The School will take place in Samara (formerly Kuibyshev, 1935-1991), one of Russia's most significant scientific, industrial, and cultural centers. Samara is situated on the left bank of the Volga River, close to the Zhiguli Mountains. The city offers numerous theaters, museums, and beautiful places to relax.
Samara is the capital of Samara Oblast and features the longest riverfront along the Volga River — the longest river in Europe!
The design of the Cosmos Arena Stadium was inspired by space exploration, with a structure resembling a spacecraft. It hosts Russian league matches and, during the 2018 World Cup, welcomed teams such as Australia, Denmark, Mexico, and Brazil.
Enjoy watching 48h in Samara:
The Weather
In winter, temperatures in Samara can drop as low as -25 degrees, but summer brings a surprising twist—with similar temperatures, only on the positive side!
Samara’s summer is wonderfully pleasant, with average temperatures around 26 degrees, occasionally reaching up to 35 degrees. Popular summer activities include swimming in the Volga River, strolling along the riverbank, watching sunsets, and, of course, studying new space technologies!
Pack your summer clothes and enjoy a beautiful, scientific space summer in our city!
The Space Capital of Russia
Samara is known as the 'Space Capital' of Russia, as many spacecraft have been designed and manufactured here—including the capsule that carried Yuri Gagarin on the first-ever human orbital flight. After returning to Earth, Gagarin visited the city, then known as Kuibyshev, where he was honored. This began a tradition: subsequent cosmonauts would visit Kuibyshev after completing their space flights, following in Gagarin's footsteps.
Samara's cultural identity is deeply rooted in space exploration. From streets named after celestial themes to space-inspired urban art, the city takes pride in its achievements in the space sector. Samara National Research University, named after Sergei Pavlovich Korolev—the father of cosmonautics—embodies this heritage. The university also houses a space museum, which will be part of the itinerary for School participants.
