Training to Build Satellites at Space Park

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The International Satellite Programme in Research and Education (INSPIRE) project will be implemented in the upcoming Space Park here to provide universities and students training to build satellites.

This was revealed at a panel session on “Space Technology Backbone for Science and Academics: INSPIRE Project” on Saturday, as the curtains came down on the two-day international conclave on Space Technology, EDGE 2020. Currently, INSPIRE, which is a combination of around eight prominent universities across the world, is conducting sessions in the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in the capital city.

The aim of INSPIRE is to establish a long-term academic programme for developing a constellation of small satellites and a global network of ground stations. The high-profile conclave had set the stage for Kerala’s Space Park to take off as a global space industry hub and translate the state’s aspiration to convert the capital city into the ‘Space City’ of the country.

In his inaugural address on Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the government is planning to build a world-class space technology ecosystem in the capital city.

The second edition of the event is tentatively scheduled in January 2021, announced Santhosh Kurup, Special Officer, Space Park, in his vote of thanks remark at the conclusion of the event.

The conclave was organised by India’s first Space Park under Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) with the backing of industry and domain leaders, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

“New Space—Opportunities and way forward” was the theme of the event, which was held at Raviz Beach Resort, Kovalam here.

Letters of Intent (LOIs) with Laboratory for Atmospheric Space Physics (LASP), Colorado, and Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Austria, and an MOU with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), were exchanged during the conclave. The meet saw the convergence of top experts, industry leaders and envoys to deliberate on the immense possibilities thrown up by the profound changes propelled by new technologies.

Dr Martin Kaufmann, Professor, University of Wuppertal, Germany; Mike McGrath, Former Engineering Director, LASP; Rick Kohnert, Small Satellite Programme Manager, LASP; and Loren Chang, Professor, National Central University, Taiwan, were the panellists at the session.

Dr Amal Chandran, Professor, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, was the moderator.