Latest news with #NASA-style
India Today
01-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Emerging job opportunities in aerospace and the future of space exploration in India
India's space ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation. No longer solely driven by ISRO or NASA-style government initiatives, the future of space exploration now includes a wave of startups, private companies, and global collaborations. This shift is enhancing India's space capabilities and creating diverse and exciting career space economy, valued at around $8–9 billion, is projected to grow to $44 billion within the next decade. This remarkable surge is propelled by progressive government policies, the emergence of IN-SPACe as a regulatory facilitator, and the participation of over 190 private space startups. As a result, the aerospace sector has become one of the most promising frontiers for young professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs. India is rapidly becoming a major player in the global space industry. From ISRO to private space startups, the aerospace sector is opening up exciting career paths for the next generation. All you need to know from the expert Nidheesh Saxena, Senior Professional in the Education CAREER DOMAINS 1. SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURINGSatellites are fundamental to communication, navigation, and Earth observation. Career opportunities range from payload engineers and system designers to satellite assembly specialists. Startups like Dhruva Space and Pixxel are pioneering private satellite missions in India, hiring for roles in systems engineering, software development, and RF communications.2. LAUNCH VEHICLE DEVELOPMENTThe success of private rockets like Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-S and Agnikul Cosmos' 3D-printed Agnibaan has opened the field to new-age propulsion engineers, structural designers, avionics specialists, and more. These roles demand expertise in fluid dynamics, materials science, GNC systems, and cryogenics.3. SPACE R&D AND EXPLORATIONBeyond hardware, research opportunities abound in astrophysics, space medicine, AI for space applications, and materials science. Organizations like ISRO's PRL and VSSC, as well as institutes like IIA and IIST, are nurturing talent in areas related to planetary exploration and deep-space EARTH OBSERVATION AND REMOTE SENSINGCareers in this field combine data analytics and environmental science. Positions include GIS analysts, remote sensing engineers, and satellite data scientists. Skills in geospatial software, image processing, and machine learning are increasingly sought after by companies like Pixxel and Kawa Space.5. SPACE LAW AND POLICYAs private participation grows, legal and regulatory expertise is in demand. Careers include policy analysts, compliance officers, and legal advisors dealing with space treaties, licensing, and debris management. Institutions like NALSAR and regulatory bodies like IN-SPACe are shaping the next generation of space law professionals.6. PRIVATE SECTOR AND STARTUPSStartups now need not just engineers, but also business developers, product managers, marketing strategists, and UI/UX designers. Roles in operations, fundraising, and customer outreach are crucial for companies like Skyroot, Agnikul, Dhruva, and Pixxel to SUPPORT AND EDUCATION PATHWAYSTo sustain this momentum, the Indian government has launched initiatives like ISRO's YUVIKA program for school students, space internships, and the RESPOND program for academic collaborations. Funding support via IN-SPACe includes technology development and venture capital funds, encouraging entrepreneurship among engineers and is equally vital. Aspirants can pursue degrees in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electronics Engineering, Physics, AI/ML, or even Space Law. Institutions like IIST offer direct pathways to ISRO roles, while online platforms such as NPTEL and ISRO-IIRS provide certified space-related courses accessible to addition to technical skills—CAD, MATLAB, C++, GIS tools—interdisciplinary and soft skills like communication, teamwork, and systems thinking are essential for thriving in cross-functional aerospace FUTURE IS NOWAs India gears up for ambitious missions like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4, and a space station by 2030, the country's space journey is poised for global impact. The rise of private players, international collaborations, and a growing talent pipeline indicate that the final frontier is now a legitimate career destination for Indian you're passionate about rocket engines, satellite data, or shaping space law—this is the moment to prepare, participate, and launch your journey into the stars. With the right skills and mindset, your space career could help define India's next leap beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Los Angeles Times
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Closed for projector work, OCC Planetarium goes direct in grand reopening Saturday
After closing to the public last month to allow for some needed projector upgrades, Orange Coast College's Planetarium on Saturday will host a free grand-reopening event, offering a slate of out-of-this-world programming and activities for kids and families. Jessica Artinger oversees programs and operations at the Costa Mesa planetarium, which attracts more than 40,000 visitors each year and is an ongoing destination for school field trips throughout Orange County. She said the six-projector system was in need of repair, requiring the facility to temporarily close in late January, so equipment could be sent to Sony in Los Angeles for new parts and then carefully reinstalled inside the planetarium's giant domed screen. 'It's not just a matter of installing a projector. There are six of them, and we have to align all six projectors together,' she said Tuesday, elaborating on what a difference the work has made. 'I've been working here three years, and [now] the dark is darker than I've ever seen it — it's pretty remarkable how crisp and clean everything looks.' For Saturday's reopening, the site will open its doors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free viewings of three feature-length films related to earth science, astronomy and space exploration, which will run in five showings beginning at noon. 'Magic Tree House: Space Mission' follows Jack and Annie, characters from the award-winning children's book series, as they meet with an astronomer and astronaut on a journey through space, in showings at noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday. With two viewings scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m., 'Birth of Planet Earth' tells the tale of the planet's formation, shedding light on how Earth came to support life and why the moon circles in perpetual orbit around it. A third film, the Spanish-language 'Habitat Tierra,' takes viewers on a journey that extends from the depths of the planet's oceans to forest floors that teem with fungi vital to tree growth, reflecting on the intersection of ecological systems and human activity. Although the shows are free and filling up quickly, visitors may still be able to reserve seats online at (create an account to join a wait list) or wait in a standby line on the day of the event. But Artinger assures that even for those who may miss out on a viewing, there will be many other activities, exhibits and displays for kids to explore on Saturday, from making NASA-style mission coins to peering through solar telescopes to visiting OCC's Dennis Kelly Aquarium and crafting their own jellyfish. 'We want people to remember they don't have to go all the way to the Griffith Observatory,' she added. 'They can come right here to Costa Mesa to learn about astronomy or science in general.' Orange Coast College is located at 2701 Fairview Road, in Costa Mesa. Free event parking is available Saturday in Lot E off Merrimac Way. To learn more, visit or call (714) 714-7430.
