IIT Delhi’s Role in India’s Space Technology Advancements

India is one of the most advanced countries in space technology globally. It is ranked 6th globally. There has been consistent research and innovation in India’s space technology. Over the years, India has been committed to promoting domestic manufacturing and innovation. This step ensures that India’s space technology benefits the nation.

One such premier institute has been crucial in India’s space technology advancements. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) stands out as the leading force. The institute has a space technology cell set up and supported by ISRO. This is a strong reflection of a partnership between academia and industry. In this blog, you would learn about the institute’s role in advancing India’s space technology. We will also explore the projects that ISRO and IIT Delhi are working on collectively.

Overview of the Institute

The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi), was established in 1961. A top centre for education, research, and development in science, technology, and engineering. Its alumni have excelled as scientists, technologists, managers, and entrepreneurs. The institute has collaborated with ISRO to set up a Space Technology Cell on campus.

Key Highlights of IIT Delhi

• Established: 1961

• Focus Areas: Science, Technology, Engineering

• Renowned For: Training, Research, and Development

• Alumni Roles: Scientists, Technologists, Managers, Entrepreneurs

ISRO Collaboration

• Partnership With: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

• Project: Space Technology Cell on campus

• Objective: Research in space technology

• Deliverables: Development of new space tech solutions

Also read: What is STEM Education? Preparing Students for a Tech-Driven Future

Joint Research Programmes Supported by ISRO

ISRO started its RESPOND programme in the 1970s. It aimed to encourage academia to work on space-related projects. Under this programme, ISRO would fund and support the university. This led to ISRO setting up space technology cells in premier institutions such as IITs. Currently, the Indian Space Research Organisation is supporting eight joint research programmes. These projects would be supported under RESPOND for 1-3 years. Let’s take a detailed look at these research projects. Here you would find collaborative work between ISRO scientists and IIT Delhi.

1. Indian Land Data Assimilation System (ILDAS):

This technology helps us predict water-related calamities, such as droughts and floods. It does this by understanding how the land and atmosphere interact. By observing changes, we can warn people so they are safe and prepared for what’s coming.

• Purpose: Identify hydrologic extremes

• Detects: Droughts, floods, water-related issues

• How it works: Tracks land-air interactions

2. Plasma Dynamics in Electrode-less Plasma Thruster

This project is meant for deep space missions. Such missions require electric propulsion. It has a longer life and higher fuel efficiency. So, the project aims to understand the plasma dynamics of electric propulsion.

• Purpose: Support deep space missions

• Benefits: Longer life, better fuel efficiency

• How it works: Studies plasma dynamics in propulsion

3. Variable Stiffness Composite Honeycomb Structures

This project would allow space scientists to test their strength and safety. This technology is like a smart computer. It uses math and computers to determine the spaceship’s strength. It can also determine areas from where the spaceship might break or bend.

• Purpose: Test the strength and safety of spacecraft

• Detects: Cracks, weak spots, bending points

• How it works: Uses maths and simulations to predict risks

4. Real-Time Flood Warning Smart System

Imagine having technology that could detect floods and storms beforehand. These tiny sensors and satellites can help save lives by detecting calamities or sudden dangers. This is like having a superhero who is always there to protect us.

• Purpose: Detect floods and storms early

• Tech Used: Sensors and satellites

• Benefit: Saves lives from sudden calamities

5. Predicting Storm Tides Using Satellite Data

Imagine a satellite that could detect cyclones in advance and save lives. This project aims to make real-time predictions of tropical cyclones. The prediction is for the Indian coast. Strong tides mostly hit this location. It could reduce and minimise the damage done by a cyclone.

• Purpose: Forecast coastal cyclone impact

• Tech Used: Satellite observation

• Benefit: Minimises cyclone damage on the coast

6. Micro-fabricated Electrospray Thrusters

Imagine a tiny space rocket requiring micro engines. Tiny machines, known as ‘electrospray thrusters’, are used for tests and simulations. This is to check their working and efficiency. Rather than investing and putting in huge investments, this is the best way to develop a thruster at a low cost.

• Purpose: Test tiny space thrusters

• Tech Used: Numerical simulations

• Benefit: Low-cost development of space thrusters

7. Speciality Glass for Space Use

Managing extreme weather on Earth is tricky. Imagine space. So, this project aims to develop new glasses. They should have better thermal and mechanical performance. This glass is meant to withstand the extreme weather conditions in outer space.

• Purpose: Create glass for extreme weather

• Tech Used: Machine learning, optimisation

• Benefit: Better thermal and mechanical performance

8. Low-pressure Systems (LPS) Analysis

This technology aims to find links between different motions and energies in the air. Scale energetics would help you understand these various energies.

• Purpose: Study air motion and energy

• How it works: Tracks energy links in the atmosphere

• Benefit: Predicts weather changes and extreme events

Ongoing Projects under the Space Technology Cell

As of July 2023, the institute’s space technology cell is working on 10+ projects. These projects are meant to advance existing space technology and solve related complex issues. Here is the list of all the ongoing projects:

1. Establishing a couple of Indian Land Data Assimilation Systems (ILDAS) to identify hydrologic extremes.

2. Classical Trajectory — Monte Carlo Simulations of the plasma dynamics in electrode-less plasma thruster.

3. Low-pressure systems (LPSs) and their nonlinear interaction with other scales in the atmosphere through the energetics.

4. Analysis of variable stiffness composite honeycomb sandwich structure with embedded delamination.

5. Real-time flood risk warning smart system integrating information from satellite and sensor products.

6. Impact of satellite observations in a coupled system for predicting storm tides and their coastal inundation.

7. Development of a numerical simulator for micro-fabricated electrospray thrusters.

8. Designing speciality glasses employing machine learning and meta-heuristic optimisation.

9. Microwave photonic devices for space applications.

10. Development of signal processing chip for GNSS anti-jamming functionality.

11. Prediction of formability and failure of aerospace alloys subjected to large strains in metal forming processes using advanced material models in finite element simulation.

12. Novel interfacial chemistry for the glass electrolytes to enable highly reversible and long-life room-temperature sodium-sulphur batteries.

13. Study of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Methane using satellite data and an atmospheric chemistry transport model over the Indian Subcontinent.

*note: The project content may vary based on the requirement of the official website.

A Final Sign-Off

The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, is a research and innovation centre. Their commitment and dedication led them to work with ISRO. They developed advanced space technologies. The institute’s space cell has been pushing boundaries in the atmospheric sciences. IIT Delhi is vital to nation-building, from weather-detecting tech to deep space missions. Imagine having the opportunity to contribute to the future of India’s space journey. All the information above is sourced from the official websites of the IIT and ISRO; there could be a few changes according to the content requirements. Moreover, the institute continues to inspire thousands of engineers and scientists. Here is your chance to join these projects and explore the realms of the unknown with IIT Delhi.