IIT Kharagpur and IIST Explore Medical Technology Collaboration for Space Applications

IIT Kharagpur and IIST are exploring collaboration in medical technology for space-related applications. IIST's work in mission-class hardware design and start-up incubation positions India as a leader in global space innovation. The IIST students have achieved admirable recent accomplishments, and the institutions aim to envision "movements" that make India a hub for responsible, inclusive space innovations.

India is making strides in the realm of space innovation, with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) exploring a collaborative venture in medical technology for space-related applications. This strategic alliance aims to leverage IIST's expertise in mission-class hardware design and start-up incubation to position India as a global leader in space innovation [1].

The collaboration was announced during the 13th convocation of IIST, held at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty emphasized that IIST's work in mission-class hardware design, start-up incubation, and strategic collaborations has positioned India as a leader in global space innovation. He highlighted recent achievements of IIST students, noting that the institute is the crucible of India's space leadership, producing future-ready solutions [1].

The collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and IIST is part of a broader vision to make India a hub for responsible and inclusive space innovations. The institutions aim to create "movements" that enable fair access to space resources and foster interdisciplinary excellence. The ISRO's Chandrayaan 3 mission, which showcased interdisciplinary excellence, serves as a sparkling example of this vision [1].

The collaboration is timely, given ISRO's ambitious plans for major missions such as the next-generation launch vehicle, Bharatiya Antriksh Station, Chandrayaan-4 sample return mission, Gaganyaan, and the Venus mission. These missions require advanced manufacturing technologies for mass production of systems, areas where IIST's expertise can be pivotal [1].

The focus on self-reliance and reducing imports in strategic areas, as underscored by IIST Chancellor B.N. Suresh, further underscores the importance of this collaboration. The institutions aim to develop complex systems and foster a robust ecosystem that can support India's space ambitions [1].

In conclusion, the collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and IIST in medical technology for space applications is a significant step forward for India's space innovation efforts. This strategic alliance leverages the strengths of both institutions to drive responsible and inclusive space innovations, positioning India as a global leader in this field.

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/iit-kharagpur-iist-exploring-collaboration-in-medical-technology/article69916271.ece