Student satellites

Why is it in news?
  • Up to 75 tiny satellites built by students of Indian universities could fly to the skies between late next year and 2022 in batches.
More in news
  • Seventy-five by 75:
    (1) This is the dream project that the Indian Technology Congress Association (ITCA) has conceived to celebrate the nation’s 75th birthday.
    (2) That is also to be the year of Gaganyaan, the first trip of Indian astronauts to space.
  • Indian Technology Congress Association (ITCA):
    (1) The ITCA, a technology promotion body based in Bengaluru, has roped in around 40 engineering colleges to form a consortium.
    (2) It is also in the midst of discussing launch contracts with the Indian Space Research Organisation and working out Israeli finance for its ‘75 Student Satellites Mission 2022’.
  • Participation and mission purpose:
    (1) Students of participating institutions would come from different disciplines and get to build nano satellites weighing between 3 and 12 kg.
    (2) They may demonstrate a novel concept, science experiment, or technology in orbit.
    (3) Assembling a satellite of their own, creating its ground control system, and operating the spacecraft would be a creative experience and give them an edge in the job market.
  • India lags behind:
    (1) In the last 3 to 5 years, other countries launched about 3,500 student satellites that demonstrated innovative technologies.
    (2) As compared to it, Indian universities have so far built and launched only nine satellites of fleeting lifespans.
Source
The Hindu




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 27th Jun 2019
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