Pint of Science Festival makes lively India debut across three cities
The Indian edition featured two venues each across three cities, and all events sold out in advance.The festival's opening night in Delhi spotlighted advances in cancer care and the mysteries of metastasis, while Bengaluru and Pune hosted talks on ecology, immunology, and the power of vaccines.Day two delved into artificial intelligence, urban development, and the science of complexity, with speakers from IIT Delhi, JNU, and IIIT-Delhi demystifying topics like neuromorphic computing and computational gastronomy.Cosmic wonders and sustainability took center stage on the final day, with presentations on dark matter, pulsars, and galactic archaeology.Talks on the positive role of radiation in medicine and agriculture, as well as strategies to combat invasive plant species, highlighted science's impact on society and the environment.Organisers encouraged speakers to use visuals, memes, games, and storytelling, turning complex research into lively discussions and interactive Q&A sessions.advertisement'It was truly wonderful to see people of all age groups come together—not just to enjoy the food and drinks, but to engage with science, ask questions, and have fun with ideas that shape our world,' said Vishaka Ranjan, Delhi Coordinator for Pint of Science India.With its resounding success, Pint of Science India plans to expand to more cities in 2026, allowing more researchers to step into the public sphere and making science a part of everyday conversation
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United News of India
41 minutes ago
- United News of India
Does ISRO need reshuffle? Questions arise over satellite and rocket production shifts
Chennai, Aug 18 (UNI) With the production of satellites and rockets now being outsourced and the Indian government's satellites are managed under the public sector NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the future of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) looks uncertain and the question arises whether the key part of the Department of Space (DoS) under the central government needs a reshuffle. Recently in a highly debated decision, private space sector regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), announced that the PixxelSpace India-led group, comprising Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space—will build and operate India's first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite system. Historically, EO satellites and satellite constellations were firmly within ISRO's domain. The other major satellite constellation under ISRO, the NavIC system (Navigation with Indian Satellite Constellation)system, has yet to be fully completed. It raises a pertinent question, whether the government will look at private companies to supply the satellite constellation to provide the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) or the navigation services? Interestingly, a private space start-up AeroDome Technologies Private Limited co-founded by alumni of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) is working on a navigation satellite constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO). 'Location and time are the foundational pillars of the modern connected world. Every piece of technology, upon activation, seeks to answer two fundamental questions: when and where,' Vibhor Jain, Co-Founder, AeroDome Technologies told this writer. However, retired ISRO officials said that communication satellite operations are the only part of the space sector likely to generate profits and not PNT or earth observation services. They suggest that had ISRO established a satellite communications company years ago, the situation might have been different today. On the rocket side, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's leading aircraft manufacturer, won a tender to produce ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) for Rs. 511 crore. NSIL also entered into an Rs. 860 crore agreement to buy five Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) from a HAL-Larsen & Toubro Ltd consortium, with ISRO providing the technology for these rockets. It is not known whether ISRO will continue to buy the PSLV rockets from outside after the fifth one from HAL-Larsen & Toubro consortium or revert back to the existing model-assembling the vehicle by itself. And last year, NSIL had also called for Request for Qualification (RFQ) to manufacture ISRO's heavy lift rocket LVM3 on public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. Given these changes and ISRO's huge manpower (sanctioned 17,000 but in place around 16,000 excluding the contracts) a question arises: Should ISRO shift its focus from production to only research? Instead of transferring the rocket and other production technologies to others, could ISRO spin off its various units into separate government-owned companies, with NSIL serving as the procurement and marketing arm? And ISRO in a new avatar could focus on the research, for which it was originally formed. Long ago, in the Indian nuclear power, the field was clearly demarcated with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) focussed on research and development of reactors while Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) focussed on setting up power plants sourcing equipment from outside and generate power. There are separate companies for uranium and rare earth mineral mining and other activities. In the case of ISRO the roles got blurred over the years by carrying out the assembling of commercial satellites and rockets. With the glamour, fame attached to the rocket launches, officials did not look at separating the functions, industry officials said. It is also said the sum of the turnover of Indian space agency's various divisions-rocket, satellite manufacturing, satellite payloads, rocket engine production, launcher integration and launch services, tracking and satellite maintenance- if spun off into different business entities will surpass that of its behemoth parent owing to focused leadership and innovation. 'There are no production facilities in ISRO. It was never created or funded to create. Only R&D facilities were created. We are doing most of the production in industry or using GOCO (government owned and contractor operated) models. There is nothing that can be separated as production facilities except some explosives and propellant processing facilities which in any way won't be possible to be transferred,' former Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO told this writer. 'You can see that production of all structures and tanks are in HAL and other industries, all electronics in many industries, all machining related works are in industry as well. What ISRO does is development, system engineering and integration, which in any way has to be done by ISRO as there is none,' Somanath said. 'The purpose of technology transfer is to create the final leg of capability in industry,' he added. Somanath said majority of the ISRO staff are in R&D except people required for the facilities running and some critical production and also in rocket launch operation at the rocket port in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. 'The scientists are not recruited for operational work. But now scientists do it part time because work has to be done as there is no industry ready to take integration with required skill. These many people are in so many domains of research in many centres. Each domain has only a handful of people really,' Somanath added. Tapan Misra, retired Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO told this writer: 'Currently ISRO has two roles – R&D and production. There is substantial manpower deployed in production activity with two/three generations of engineers involved in production than in hard core research.' 'On paper engineers are scientists and many of them are involved in production. Only about 20-30 percent of the staff is involved in research and development and the others are in a supportive role,' Misra commented. According to him, ISRO has missed the bus of kerosene and methane powered rockets. So production and repetitive work has to be taken outside of ISRO as the technology is also old. Only now ISRO is developing a methane powered rocket. Misra said, given this situation, production of existing rockets by a public sector unit like HAL has to be there till the private rocket makers mature and stabilise. The PSUs may produce for ISRO now and may do the same for the private players later. As regards the ISRO staff, the young and bright ones may be encouraged to focus on research and float start-ups and the senior and experienced ones in the production can be deputed to HAL. Those who bid and win the tenders to make rockets and satellites may not have the experience in making the same and hence ISRO's experienced talent pool will be of great help. Industry officials also add that production of rockets and satellites should also be there in the public sector as the government cannot be allowed to be dictated by the private players. 'For instance the Indian government owned telecom player Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has the necessary backend network to support the government and public needs when exigencies demand,' Misra said. Perhaps at a future date, ISRO's production/assembly units may be housed under NSIL. Currently ISRO's facilities are allowed to be used by the private space sector players. 'India now should have a clear focus on the space sector model it wants to focus –American (strong government-private collaboration), the Chinese (military-civil mixture), the European (collaboration amongst nations with current focus on autonomy encouraging private participation) or its own existing model (national development focus, government control, public sector driven and now with private participation encouraged). A hybrid model of these three will not work,' a retired senior ISRO official told this writer. UNI VJ AAB
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
How ISRO Is Touching Lives: Parliament To Debate Space Programmes Today
New Delhi: Space technology, playing a central role in powering the nation's economy, securing its borders, and uplifting its citizens, is at the heart of India's journey to becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'. As the Lok Sabha prepares to discuss "India's first astronaut aboard the International Space Station, critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047", India's space technology's role in already 'Touching Lives' every day cannot be ignored. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), once a modest initiative launched from a church in a fishing village in Thumba, Kerala, has now become a global symbol of frugal innovation and technological excellence. Enabling ATM transactions, saving lives during cyclones, empowering farmers, to inspiring students, ISRO has been touching lives through everyday business, helping in India's development. ISRO's satellites and missions have become deeply embedded in the fabric of Indian society. The role of space-based systems will only increase as India embraces a development pathway rooted in indigenously developed innovative systems. Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla completed his 21st-century space sojourn and is now the new cynosure for India, having become the most travelled Indian, covering over 12 million kilometres and completing 282 orbits of Earth in his 20-day mission. India's space journey reached a new zenith on August 23, 2023, when the Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed near the Moon's South Pole, making India the first country to achieve this feat. This precision landing demonstrated ISRO's mastery in lunar navigation and roving. The Vikram lander even performed a hop experiment, and the propulsion module was later manoeuvred into Earth orbit for extended operation, showcasing India's growing capabilities in deep space engineering. Building on this momentum, ISRO marked its 100th rocket launch in January 2025 with the deployment of a navigation satellite, highlighting the maturity of India's indigenous cryogenic engine technology. This milestone was followed by the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite on July 30, 2025. A joint Indo-US Earth observation mission, NISAR, is designed to monitor climate change, natural disasters, and agricultural patterns. Launched aboard India's rocket GSLV F-16, the $1.3 billion satellite features dual-frequency SAR payloads from NASA and ISRO and is expected to revolutionise Earth observation with its ability to detect surface changes as small as a centimetre. ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan hailed NISAR as a symbol of India's technological leadership and global collaboration, emphasising the precision and reliability of India's cryogenic launch systems. The satellite, weighing 2,392 kg, will scan the globe every 12 days, providing all-weather, day-and-night data. Its applications range from monitoring ice sheet movement and soil moisture to disaster response and infrastructure stress. Dubbed a "lifesaving satellite," NISAR is a testament to India's growing prowess in space-based Earth science. India's human spaceflight program also took a giant leap forward with the Axiom-4 flight, or the Mission Akash Ganga. On June 25, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to travel to space since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. As part of the multinational Axiom-4 mission, Mr Shukla spent 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducting seven India-specific experiments. Launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9, the mission concluded successfully with a splashdown near San Diego. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Mr Shukla's courage and dedication, calling it an inspiration for a billion dreams. Mission Akash Ganga lays the foundation for India's indigenous human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, which aims to launch an Indian astronaut aboard an Indian rocket from Indian soil by 2027. The countdown, the rocket, and the astronaut-all will be Indian. This mission will mark India's entry into the elite club of nations with independent human spaceflight capabilities, joining Russia, the United States, and China. India's roadmap doesn't stop there. Prime Minister Modi has outlined a bold vision: establish the Bhartiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and land an Indian on the Moon by 2040. A precursor to this will be the launch of a space module in 2028. If successful, India will become one of the few nations with a permanent presence in space. India's lunar legacy is already formidable. Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, discovered the presence of water molecules on the Moon, fundamentally altering our understanding of lunar geology. Chandrayaan-2 provided independent images of Apollo mission artefacts, and Chandrayaan-3 made global headlines with its near the South Pole landing, which is now considered the gold rush zone for lunar exploration. The upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission aims to return samples from the Moon, further cementing India's role in lunar science. India's interplanetary achievements are equally impressive. It became the first country to reach Mars orbit on its maiden attempt with the Mangalyaan mission. Today, India is studying the Sun 24x7 through the Aditya-L1 satellite, contributing to solar science and space weather forecasting. The economic impact of India's space program is profound. A 2024 study by European space consulting firm Novaspace, commissioned by ISRO, estimates that the Indian space sector has stimulated the national economy to the tune of $60 billion over the last decade, supported 4.7 million jobs, and generated $24 billion in tax revenues. The report, titled Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Indian Space Programme, highlights that satellite-based applications have profoundly impacted the social fabric of the nation. ISRO's current annual budget is about $1.6 billion, while NASA's is $25 billion-15.5 times larger. Yet, India has achieved remarkable feats with limited resources. Since its inception, ISRO has launched over 132 Indian satellites, including those from private operators and academic institutions. India currently has over satellites in orbit. India currently has over 50 satellites in orbit. Three deep space missions-Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, Aditya-L1, and the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module-were also active. India has launched 102 rockets and orbited 433 foreign satellites, offering three different rockets for commercial hire. The Indian satellite constellation, valued at approximately Rs 50,000 crore, supports diverse sectors such as weather forecasting, cyclone monitoring, ATM connectivity, crop forecasting, smart city planning, communications, and navigation. ISRO's satellites help 8,00,000 fisherfolk daily and provide weather forecasts to 1.4 billion Indians. India's spy satellites, with 25 cm resolution, are among the best in the world, capable of reading number plates in enemy territory. These capabilities bolster national security and strategic preparedness. Now, a new private constellation of 12 satellites led by India's start-ups will also help India. India's space sector is also witnessing a boom in private innovation. Over 300 space start-ups are driving growth, with companies like Agnikul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace launching sub-orbital rockets, and Pixxel Aerospace developing high-resolution satellites. A recent study estimates that for every dollar spent on space, India receives a return of $2.52, an "amazing" rate of return, according to financial experts. ISRO's journey from launching a 715 kg Nike Apache rocket from near a church in Thumba in 1963 to deploying the 6,40,000 kg Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) is a testament to India's resilience and ingenuity. It's a quantum leap from a fishing hamlet to the Red Planet. As India prepares to celebrate its 100th year of independence in 2047, the vision is clear: an Indian flag flying on the Moon, a space station orbiting Earth, and a thriving space economy contributing to national development. ISRO's story is not just about rockets and satellites-it's about touching lives, empowering citizens, and propelling India toward a future where space is not the final frontier, but a daily reality.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
After historic ISS mission, Shubhanshu Shukla gets red-carpet welcome in Delhi, to meet PM; LS will hold special discussion on him today
Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla, along with astronaut Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, receives grand welcome from Union space minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and and Isro chairman V Narayanan at the Delhi airport NEW DELHI: Following his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla received a red-carpet welcome at Delhi's IGI airport as he returned to the country from the US in the early hours of Sunday. Shukla, who piloted the spacecraft to the space station as part of the Axiom-4 mission, was welcomed by Union space minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and Isro chairman V Narayanan, and a large crowd of space enthusiasts at the airport. Posting on X later, minister Jitendra Singh said, 'A moment of pride for India! A moment of glory for #ISRO! A moment of gratitude to the dispensation that facilitated this under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. India's Space glory touches the Indian soil… as the iconic son of Mother India, Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla lands at Delhi in the early hours of morning today. Accompanying him, another equally accomplished Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India's first Human mission Gaganyaan who was India's designated backup for the mission to the ISS. Privileged to receive both of them'. Shukla is expected to meet PM Modi and then travel to his hometown Lucknow. He is likely to return to the Capital on Aug 22–23 to participate in the National Space Day celebrations. The Lok Sabha will hold a special discussion on Monday on India's space journey and Shukla's historic mission aboard the ISS, according to a notice issued by the lower House. The House will discuss 'India's first astronaut aboard the ISS — critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047', which could possibly end the deadlock between the govt and opposition in Parliament over the electoral roll revision in Bihar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Mixed Pink Salt With This - Now She Can't Stop Losing Weight Break The Weight Learn More Undo Earlier on Saturday, Shukla had posted a smiling photograph of himself on a flight and said he was filled with emotions. 'As I sit on the plane to come back to India, I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family, and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is -- everything all at once," he said. In the 79th Independence Day speech at the Red Fort on Friday, PM Modi, while mentioning Group Captain Shukla's successful mission to ISS, had said that India is working towards becoming self-reliant in the space sector and preparing for the launch of Gaganyaan, its indigenous human space flight mission, and is also working on developing its own space station. In June, Shukla became the second Indian to go to space — after IAF wing commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984— as part of the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. During the 18-day mission, Shukla, along with astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), conducted more than 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions aboard the ISS. He returned to the Earth on July 16.
