ISRO chief calls for academia-industry synergy to meet India's lunar, space station goals

ISRO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space, V. Narayanan, on Friday called for closer collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions to advance India's ambitious space programme, which includes plans to establish an indigenous space station by 2035 and land Indian astronauts on the Moon by 2040.

Delivering the keynote address virtually at the ISRO Academia Connect event, organised by the Capacity Building Programme Office (CBPO) in association with Andhra University College of Engineering (A), Mr. Narayanan emphasised the role of academic institutions in supporting the nation's space missions. He noted that Andhra University, now over a century old, had contributed significantly to the country by producing scientists, academicians, and administrators, making it an ideal partner for research and innovation.

The ISRO chief highlighted India's recent achievements in space, particularly the successful soft landing near the Moon's south pole through the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He added that work was already underway on Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5, which would build on this milestone. “There should not be any gap between space and the common man of this country,” he said, stressing the wide-ranging benefits of space technology.

According to Mr. Narayanan, ISRO's satellites currently support more than 50 sectors, including telecommunications, weather forecasting, disaster management, agriculture, fisheries, water resources, and border security. He also pointed out that India had developed indigenous cryogenic engine technology after being denied access to it by other countries, underscoring the importance of self-reliance in critical areas.

Urging universities to focus on application-oriented research, Mr. Narayanan called for a shift beyond academic publications towards developing patents, technologies, and products that benefit society. He expressed confidence that the collaboration between ISRO and Andhra University would create greater opportunities for research and internships while contributing to the country's space programme.

Speaking at the event, ISRO Scientific Secretary M. Ganesh Pillai said that the Andhra University event was the fifth edition of ISRO's nationwide Academic Connect initiative. “Every successful space mission is built upon decades of research, innovation, and academic excellence,” he said, encouraging universities to undertake mission-oriented research that leads to technologies, prototypes, and products for future space missions.

The event reflects ISRO's broader strategy to integrate academic and industrial capabilities into its mission planning. By fostering such partnerships, the space agency aims to harness the country's intellectual capital and manufacturing strengths, ensuring that India remains self-sufficient and competitive in the global space arena. As the country looks ahead to more complex missions, the role of universities and industry will be crucial in developing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to support India's space ambitions.