The Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) are working together to create a Center of Excellence for research in “Fluid and Thermal Sciences” in order to promote studies in important fields of thermal science and increase India’s independence in space technologies.
This center will serve as a central point for ISRO’s thermal management research operations pertaining to spacecraft and launch vehicles. The experience of the professors at IIT Madras might be used to solve thermal challenges pertaining to the design, analysis, and testing of different components.
On November 11, 2024, at IIT Madras, Victor Joseph T., head of the Directorate of Technology Development & Innovation (DTDI), ISRO, and Prof. Manu Santhanam, dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, IIT Madras, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for this partnership.
The key outcomes would include:
Thermal Management Research Hub: The Centre will serve as a key research hub for ISRO, focusing on spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management challenges.
Funding: ISRO will provide an initial seed funding of Rs 1.84 crore to establish the Centre and for essential infrastructure and equipment, and additional funding for consumables, maintenance and for future projects in fluid-thermal sciences.
Advanced research projects: Projects will cover critical areas, including spacecraft thermal management, combustion instability in hybrid rockets, and cryo-tank thermodynamics.
Industry-academia collaboration: The Centre will enhance collaboration between ISRO scientists and IIT Madras faculty, fostering innovation in fluid and thermal sciences.
Elaborating further, Prof Arvind Pattamatta, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “This Centre of Excellence will allow ISRO scientists and IIT Madras faculty and students to collaboratively advance research in critical areas of thermal science. By addressing complex thermal engineering challenges, we aim to contribute significantly to the nation’s space programme and strengthen India’s self-reliance in space technologies.”
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Source: Education News
