Meet Rodion Zaichikov, 15, who built 3,000°C wind tunnel and won science prize

 At just 15 years old, Rodion Zaichikov has made waves in the scientific community with his innovative arc-jet wind tunnel designed for scramjet testing, which earned him the prestigious Ellison Scholars Prize at Germany’s European Union Contest for Young Scientists. By creating equipment to mimic extreme flight conditions—typically costly and hard to access—Zaichikov showcases his dedication to pioneering aerospace solutions. At just 15 years old, Rodion Zaichikov has made waves in the scientific community with his innovative arc-jet wind tunnel designed for scramjet testing, which earned him the prestigious Ellison Scholars Prize at Germany’s European Union Contest for Young Scientists. By creating equipment to mimic extreme flight conditions—typically costly and hard to access—Zaichikov showcases his dedication to pioneering aerospace solutions.