NIT Rourkela signs MoU with ISRO to set up ‘Space Technology Incubation Centre’

On March 18, the ISRO and NIT signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing the centre which will enable start-ups to build applications and products that could be used in future space missions.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to establish a 'Space Technology Incubation Centre' (S-TIC) at the National Institute of Technology in Rourkela (NIT Rourkela). According to institute officials, the aim is to carry out research and product development in space technology and applications. On March 18, the ISRO and NIT signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing the centre which will enable start-ups to build applications and products that could be used in future space missions.

Talking about the collaboration, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said, "Space technology-related research and the products from the S-TIC will be utilised in future space missions and will help nation-building through ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ in space technology and applications domain." He further added, "Students and research scholars will execute real projects given by ISRO of NIT Rourkela taking guidance from expert faculties, mentors from ISRO and relevant industries."

According to the MoU, state-of-the-art laboratories, facilities and expert faculties to meet these objectives will be provided by NIT Rourkela. The upcoming establishment aims to provide a promotion to startups, capacity-building, innovations and research in space technology in Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand besides the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Animesh Biswas, Director, NIT Rourkela, said, "We thank ISRO Chairman and Director of CBPO (Capacity Building Programme Office) for selecting NIT, Rourkela in the eastern region for setting up of S-TIC. NIT Rourkela’s sponsored research and industrial consultancy is one among the best in the country. ISRO’s support will further enhance our research infrastructure".

Under this collaboration, an annual grant-in-aid of Rs 2 crore will be provided by ISRO for a period of up to two years to NIT Rourkela as seed money for setting up the S-TIC. The money will be used for the augmentation of facility to carry out research works and development of products taken from ISRO.

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