The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has played a big role in the development of space technology in India. Vikram Sarabhai and Homi Bhabha are regarded as the two pioneers of space research in India. A large number of satellite vehicles have been launched by the ISRO since starting off with Aryabhatta in 1975.
But now things seem to be changing. Student developed satellites seem to be a new trend. The most interesting aspect is that this trend isn’t limited to the IITs and NITs but catching up thick and fast across various tier II and tier III institutes as well.
Some of the first few designed satellites by students including Cube-sat and SEDSat by VIT and StudSat designed by ISRO, IISc and few other institutes have gripped the attention of students like never before. Students of more than 30 institutes have now approached the ISRO for helping them construct their own satellites. Most of them are interested in designing those in the micro (1-10kg) and nano satellite (10-100kgs).
This new trend has the potential to help us in a number of ways –
- Increasing development in the field of space research and technology
- Working and developing satellites would help the students learn about the intricate details of these rather complex systems
- These would greatly encourage the students to apply what they learn in theory
- This trend would also play a great role in encouraging and facilitating greater research and development among the student community
- Small satellites are perfect platforms for students willing to train in this technology and also helps for multiple satellite launches through a single vehicle
This move may cost universities a lot of money, But money spent in such a fashion shouldn’t be taken as expenditure. Instead it should be taken as an investment as this experience would develop a culture of research and development among the students.
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