A MILESTONE

It is indeed a proud moment for the nation to witness the launch of a micro-satellite developed and controlled by a team of young student scientists of a Bengaluru-based university. The satellite was launched into space on the ISRO’s PSLV-C51 along with other satellites on Sunday.

This micro-satellite named Sindhu Netra or ‘eye of the sea’ will safeguard our maritime borders and keep an eye on suspicious movement of ships and other vessels that trespass into our waters. The students from Bengaluru-based PES University have truly shown that young India is ready to take up space ventures and make the nation proud by taking it to greater heights. The beauty of Sunday’s launch was that this satellite was one of the four satellites developed by students and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s PSLV-C51. The Sindhu Netra satellite of the DRDO was designed and developed by a team of faculty members and students at PES University. Scientists at ISRO were always ready to guide, direct and impart information to the students during the project and this is something worth emulating. This mission has truly shown that universities and educational institutions can make use of students’ potential to accomplish projects that can serve the nation and its populace. The satellite was developed after PES University was awarded a contract of Rs 2.2 crore by the Hyderabad-based Research Centre, Imarat which is a part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The students belong to the R-SAT team of PES, who are now monitoring and controlling the satellite. According to a report, as many as 13 students who have now graduated, were given a stipend and employed under the project. Earlier, 50 students were given the task of helping the design work. The work had been in progress for three years. For young scientists, it was indeed a great experience of working and getting knowledge from former ISRO scientists. According to ISRO Chairman K Sivan, the Sunday launch was very ‘special’ as it fell under the ambit of the recently announced space reforms that allowed ISRO to collaborate with private players in developing their satellites, and in at least four of such projects, young students were directly involved. Dr Sivan opined that such collaborated missions will definitely encourage many others including students to build and launch satellites with ISRO. The historic launch no doubt is a milestone in our space and communication mission history and the involvement of our younger generation in such projects shows our faith in young scientists who are ready to continue our great legacy in satellite launchings and space missions.