IIT M partners with US Consulate to host Space Technology Conclave

CHENNAI: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), the US Consulate General Chennai, and the Indian Space Association hosted a three-day Space Technology Conclave on Saturday. The three day space technology conclave will focus on four key themes such as space policy, international collaboration, scientific research and development, and space entrepreneurship and business.

A key outcome of this three-day conclave will be establishing the “Association of Space Entrepreneurs in the Indo-Pacific” (ASEIP) and a white paper to be shared with stakeholders in India, the US, and other Indo-Pacific countries.

Addressing the inaugural session, Prof. Rajeev Jyoti, Scientist and Director (Technical), Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), said, “Instead of ISRO only being an integrator of the entire space ecosystem, the space sector must be taken forward by entrepreneurs and space businesses. While technology innovation is the main thing for any business, space or otherwise, we need innovation and finance as well, among other things. Space, in the next 10 years, is shifting from geo-satellites to the constellation of satellites. There are estimates that 10,000 satellites are likely to be launched in the near future."

Mylswamy Annadurai, vice president, of Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, said, “Post Covid-19 and the prevailing geopolitical scenario, there is a new norm. There is an urgent need among like-minded countries to have a holistic space policy that encourages international collaboration. We should set the trend for that. Not only for scientific research and development but also in space entrepreneurship and business. India has a well-developed space program boosted by the realization of indigenous systems made for societal applications. Today, India is poised not only to go to the moon but create a moon colony.”

Stating that the emerging ecosystem for the space sector in India is very conducive for international collaboration in the space business, the former ISRO official said beyond PSLV, the GSLV is also getting ready for space launch. "There are more than 100 space-tech start-ups in India with rapid growth in the space sector The private sector is said to create a revolution in the space economy. In this context, I see this Conclave playing a key role", he added.

Drew Schufletowski, Minister Counselor for Economic, Environment, Science and Technology Affairs, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, said, bilateral trade between India and the US is at a higher level than ever before and I see the potential for collaboration in many areas." “Currently, NASA and ISRO are collaborating on one of NASA's biggest projects - the NASA-ISRO SAR Mission (NISAR), a joint Earth-observing mission", the official added.