NIT Rourkela will have Incubation centre into the field of Space Technology

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will establish a “Space Technology Incubation Center” (S-TIC) in the campus of National Institute of Technology, Rourkela to conduct research and develop products in the fields of space technology and applications.

ISRO and NIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the center, which will allow startups to develop applications and products that could be used for future space missions. “Research on space technology and S-TIC products will be used in future space missions and, through Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, will help build nations in space technology and applications,” said ISRO President K Sivan. “Students and scholars will carry out real projects led by NIT Rourkela’s ISRO under the guidance of expert faculties, ISRO mentors and relevant industries,” he said.

As part of the MoU, NIT Rourkela will deploy its state-of-the-art specialized laboratories, facilities and faculties to achieve these goals. The next center will foster new business creation, capacity development, innovation and research in space technology in Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand along with the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Animesh Biswas, Director of NIT Rourkela, said: “We thank the President of ISRO and Director of the Capacity Development Program Office (CBPO) for choosing NIT, Rourkela in the East region, to establish the S-TIC as one of the best in ISRO’s support will further enhance our research infrastructure. “ISRO will provide NIT Rourkela with an annual grant of Rs 2 million as seed capital to establish S-TIC for a period of up to two years. The seed capital would be used to expand the facilities. To carry out ISRO’s research projects and product development, NIT Rourkela will provide the necessary infrastructure on its university campus.