IIT Madras, Bombay to offer courses in space tech

A minor course on space technology has already started at IIT Madras, while IIT Bombay will also start the same course from the next semester.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and IIT Bombay have started to offer space technology courses, courtesy the efforts made by IN-SPACe, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, The Times of India reported. The report said a minor course on space technology has already started at IIT Madras, while IIT Bombay would also start the same course from the next semester. 

“These courses are for people who have already enrolled at these institutions. At IIT Madras, there were 75 applications for a class of 60 when the entries closed, while IIT Bombay has got the approval to begin the course from July,” Vinod Kumar, director of promotions at IN-SPACe, said.  

The independent nodal space agency is now working on rolling out space courses across more institutions. Besides an introductory course on space technology, there will be programmes on launch vehicle and propulsion system, spaceflight mechanics and attitude dynamics, spacecraft systems engineering, and space data products and services. Also, there is an optional course on space economics, law and policy and benefits. 

Multiple institutes from across the country, including another IIT and a private university, have shown interest in starting the programme. “The response has been good and there is demand. We are looking at rolling out the courses in various institutions in phases,” Kumar said. IN-SPACe is also in talks with the University Grants Commission (UGC) through which it will execute the larger rolling out of the prorgamme across the country. 

Read more: 

• IIT Madras launches BS in Electronic Systems, JEE not required 
• IIT Bombay inquiry committee rules out caste angle in student’s death 
• 2 arrested in Anna University fake honorary doctorate case