New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) On Thursday, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated a comprehensive range of programs designed to engage students and emerging researchers in satellite development, payload experimentation, and various space missions.

In response to an un-starred inquiry in the Rajya Sabha, Singh emphasized the government's dedication to making space technology accessible to all, ensuring that students from institutions nationwide—including those located in tier-2 and tier-3 cities—are provided with opportunities to participate in India's growing space sector.

Singh elaborated on ISRO’s Student Satellite Programme, which is spearheaded by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, and enables academic institutions and student groups to design and construct satellites under the guidance of ISRO scientists. These student-engineered satellites also benefit from integration assistance and launch opportunities through ISRO's missions.

Additionally, various internship and project trainee programs are available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students, allowing them to engage with advanced space technologies at numerous ISRO facilities.

To foster academic involvement, Space Technology Incubation Centres (STICs) have been established in various regions to promote collaborative research between universities and ISRO scientists.

Singh also underscored the significance of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in encouraging student participation in the space industry. The agency has organized competitions centered around the design of CAN-sized satellites and model rockets, attracting 97 student teams with around 850 participants.

Thus far, IN-SPACe has approved 17 student satellites and payloads, with 11 successfully launched, involving institutions such as the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, and numerous engineering colleges across the nation.

Furthermore, Singh noted that ISRO’s RESPOND program provides financial and technical backing to universities for research in space science and technology, while Regional Academic Centres for Space have been established to broaden access to space education.

According to the minister, the government has allocated approximately Rs 10 crore annually for outreach initiatives focused on students in the realm of space science and technology. These efforts are intended to cultivate a more inclusive and innovation-centric space ecosystem in India.