IIT-Roorkee ties up with ISRO to conduct research in space technology

The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee has signed a memorandum of understanding with the country’s premier space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation to expand the scope of research for space technology.

In a press note, the institute said it will set up an ISRO-IITR Space Technology Cell (STC) within its campus to pursue activities that fall within the ambit of the space agency’s programme for its space technology initiatives.

IIT-Roorkee will be responsible for overall management of the cell and will provide the requisite infrastructure, administrative and other support.

As part of the programme, the cell will pursue advanced research in the field of space technology catering to the Indian space programme by leveraging the existing infrastructure of the two organisations.

The STC will comprise faculty members, visiting scientists and experts, research personnel, technical, administrative and support staff, the press note added.

“We look forward to work with IIT-Roorkee and hope that students and faculty of the institute will develop a scientific temper and generate interest in space research considering that space technology has become an integral part of our life,” Dr PV Venkitakrishnan, director of the capacity building programme office at ISRO said in the statement.

The MoU, which was signed under the aegis of the Department of Space (DST) of the Indian government, also aims to strengthen institutional interactions.

ISRO also previously offered its technological capabilities to solve practical problems through similar MoUs.

In July last year, the Uttar Pradesh state police department signed an MoU with ISRO to boost its efficiency by adopting technologies such as crime mapping analytics and predictive systems.