ISRO signs MoU with technical institute in Odisha to set up space-innovation-cum-incubation centre

 VSSUT has become the first university in the country to pen down an MoU with the Indian space agency.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) Odisha to set up a space innovation centre in the University. With this, VSSUT has become the first university in the country to pen down an MoU with the Indian space agency, an official statement said.

Dr. K Sivan, Chairman of ISRO, and Sanjay Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha, and VSSUT vice-chancellor Atal Chaudhuri attended the event which was organised virtually. 

"Achieving a rare privilege of being the first University in the country, VSSUT Burla today inked an MoU with Indian Space Research Organisation for setting up of Space Innovation-cum-Incubation centre in presence of @isro Chairman," Dr K Sivan, Information and Public Relations Dept, Government of Odisha, tweeted.

He also thanked the ISRO for supporting the initiative and said that this will help in boosting the talent of young scientists. As part of the agreement, ISRO will offer technical consultancy support and financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh to the VSSUT for development of infrastructure, the university said in a statement.

There will be a collaboration for the development of high-end simulation tools, miniature test facilities - like static test facility, solid propulsion research lab - and establishment of testing facility for scaled-down models.

A 'sounding rocket' developed by the VSSUT Innovation Club of the institute had found a place in the Limca Book of Records. The ISRO chairman expressed hope that the proposed VSSUT Space Innovation Centre (VSSSIC) will promote knowledge about space research among students.

Noting that students will be more interested in space research and application in the future, the ISRO chairman said, it will be a game-changer for the country as more research is required for the development of subsystem and propulsion system.

ISRO will facilitate the limited utilisation of rocket launching facilities like Thumba, Sriharikota or Balasore (under DRDO), where all kinds of safety systems are available, for the launch of future sounding rockets developed at the Space Innovation Centre at VSSUT, the university said.

On its part, the VSSSIC will explore the latest global trend in space technology and take up related projects which will benefit the country.

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