Space research: ISRO to partner with TN varsities

This collaboration will be mutually beneficial, enabling the institutes to access ISRO facilities while the scientists and engineers from the agency will get to use institutes’ facilities.

Along with the ISRO, the partner institute will also be involved in decision making regarding the adoption of new technologies and applications under this collaboration, sources here said.

The responsibility of the academic partners, titled Space-National Academic Partner (S-NAP), includes submitting project proposals suggesting advancements in the existing technology and applications. Sources added that chosen projects may be funded by ISRO.

The educational institution (S-NAP) will also submit periodical reports on the advancements in the field from across the world so that similar improvements can be planned in ISRO systems and applications.

After entering into a non-disclosure agreement with ISRO, S-NAP will organise specific seminars and workshop in area particular to space activities.

In this collaboration, ISRO’s responsibility includes involving S-NAP of the particular field for resolving outstanding issues in technology and application, bringing in S-NAP in brainstorming sessions and future planning sessions wherever possible, and, if the session is non-strategic, ISRO will also provide S-NAP access to its facilities for carrying out the research activities.

It is planned to develop a number of partners under the programme in fields relevant to space technology and applications, including satellite communication, navigation applications, signal conditioning and processing, image processing, space sciences, thermal science, chemical engineering, robotics and artificial intelligence.

If a project is approved to be carried out in the partner Institute, the necessary budget as agreed mutually will be provided to institute to carry out the work.

Once the S-NAP is selected, a memorandum of understanding will be entered into between the institute and the lead centre of ISRO that have expertise in that particular field.