NIT Raipur hosts session to boost Space-Tech Research capabilities

Raipur (Team Newsbuddy): NIT Raipur’s The Center of Space and Interplanetary Exploration (COSINE) organized a faculty interaction session to explore how the institute can contribute to national space missions and promote the space tech ecosystem in Chhattisgarh . The session was specifically designed for faculty members who are either already working or are willing to work in the field of space science and technology research. The keynote speaker of this session was Dr. S. Somnath, former Chairman of ISRO. He discussed space science and its various aspects in detail with the faculty members present. The session was attended by Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman, Board of Governors, NIT Raipur, Dr. Rajeev Prakash, Director, IIT Bhilai, Dr. S. Sanyal, Professor (HAG), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. G. P. S. C. Mishra, Dean (Research & Consultancy), Dr. Saurabh Gupta, Faculty In-Charge, COSINE, Dr. Ramya Selvaraj, Dr. R. Marieswaran , Dr. Kapil Soni and other faculty members.

Dr. Mishra highlighted NIT Raipur’s research capabilities, elaborating on projects related to space research and the work being done under COSINE. He also outlined future goals and discussed how NIT Raipur can contribute to the national space sector. Faculty members working in space research shared their insights, while those willing to enter the field explored possible areas where they could contribute.

Dr. Somnath actively interacted with the faculty members and suggested specific research problems that could be addressed innovatively. He assured his support in facilitating interactions between NIT Raipur faculty and ISRO experts, further stating that he would assist in arranging meetings with scientists across ISRO centers and help organize lab visits across the country for faculty members. This initiative aims to align NIT Raipur’s research focus with ISRO’s requirements and encourage impactful contributions to national space missions.

During the discussion, Dr. Somnath emphasized that NIT Raipur should begin with two specific focus areas. First, he proposed the establishment of a Tinkering Lab, which would allow students to work on small satellite development projects, providing them with hands-on experience in space technology. Second, he recommended working on Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) and its applications, highlighting its wide scope in the Chhattisgarh region. He noted that NIT Raipur possesses strong faculty expertise in this domain, making it a promising area for impactful research.

Furthermore, the session underscored the importance of research in Bioastronautics, considering its crucial role in long-duration space missions. The discussion also stressed that NIT Raipur should actively contribute to ISRO’s human spaceflight program – Gaganyaan. Dr. Somnath encouraged the institute to align its research and development efforts with the technological advancements required for space exploration.

The session marked a significant step toward strengthening space-tech research at NIT Raipur and enhancing collaboration with ISRO, setting the foundation for future advancements in space exploration and technology.