Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology - IIST

21/09/2026

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝

20/09/2026

𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐈𝐒𝐓 — 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Twenty years ago, a vision took shape. Today, that vision looks towards the stars. On September 14, 2026, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology celebrated its 20th Foundation Day, a moment to pause, look back with gratitude, and look ahead with renewed hope.

Established in 2007 under the Department of Space, Government of India, IIST was born from a simple yet far-reaching idea: to create an institution that would nurture the finest young minds for India’s space programme.

What began as a bold vision has, over two decades, grown into an institute of multi disciplinary research and learning and has contributed to India’s journey in space science and technology.

The occasion became particularly special with the presence of Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, Padma Vibhushan awardee, former Chairman of ISRO and Founding Chairman of the IIST Board of Management, who joined us as the Chief Guest. For IIST, his presence carried a special meaning. He was among those who envisioned the idea of such an institute and nurtured the institute in its formative years.

Reflecting on the original vision of IIST, Dr. Madhavan Nair recalled the need to create highly specialised human resources for India’s growing space programme. Looking at the Institute today, he expressed immense pride in how that vision has blossomed into a premier institution for space science and aerospace education.

His message to the IIST community was equally inspiring: the excellence achieved over the past two decades must become the foundation for even greater achievements in the years ahead. He called upon the faculty and students to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to India’s ambitious deep-space missions and its journey towards technological self-reliance.

Prof. Kuruvilla Joseph, Pro Vice Chancellor, IIST, welcomed the gathering and took the audience back to the early years of IIST, it's formative stages under the able leadership of Dr G Madhavan Nair, Dr T.K.A. Nair and Dr B.N. Suresh and the aspirations and challenges that shaped the Institute to what it is today. His reflections reminded everyone that institutions are not built merely with buildings and laboratories. They are built by people who believe in a vision and dedicate themselves to making it a reality.

In his Presidential Address, Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Vice Chancellor, IIST, reflected on the remarkable growth of the Institute and its continuing responsibility towards the nation, reaffirming IIST’s commitment to contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The celebration also featured the Foundation Day Lecture by Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, titled: “Understanding the Universe: From Binary Stars to Galaxies, from AstroSat to the Telescopes of Tomorrow.”

Taking the audience on a journey from the intricate lives of binary stars to the vast evolution of galaxies, Dr. Annapurni beautifully connected fundamental astronomy with the remarkable advances in space instrumentation. She highlighted India’s achievements through AstroSat, the country’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, including her foundational work on the calibration of its UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT). She also offered a glimpse into the exciting future of Indian space astronomy, with next-generation telescopes and international collaborations opening new windows to the Universe.

As IIST completes two decades and steps confidently into its third decade, the Foundation Day is not simply a celebration of how far we have travelled. It is a celebration of everyone who has been part of the journey, those who envisioned IIST, those who built it in its early years, the faculty and staff who have nurtured it, the researchers who have expanded its horizons, and the thousands of students who have walked through its gates carrying dreams of reaching the skies.

Twenty years ago, IIST was a dream.
Today, it is a legacy.
Tomorrow, it must become an even greater vision.

20/09/2026

𝐈𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝

Lt Col Sukhwinder Singh, a Research Scholar in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, has been honored with the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation Card in recognition of his achievement, which stems from the successful development of two highly innovative applications for critical defence operations. Both applications significantly enhance operational capabilities and efficiency, highlighting the exceptional caliber of research and practical contributions emerging from the scholar. His remarkable work bridges advanced academic study with vital defence applications, bringing immense pride and recognition to the institution

17/09/2026

𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟏𝟒-𝟏𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢 𝐌𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐢, 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐫𝐚

Hindi Day and the Sixth All India Official Language Conference for the year 2026 were organized by the Department of Official Language, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India during September 14 - 15, 2026, at the Cidco Exhibition & Convention Centre in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The prestigious two-day national conference held under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs & Co-operation brought together scholars, litterateurs, educationists and senior government officials to discuss the promotion of Hindi and its coordination with other Indian languages. Representing the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Dr. Chakravarthy P, Professor, and Dr. B. S. Girish, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, attended the event.

17/09/2026

𝐈𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐓’𝐬 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐇𝐀 ’𝟐𝟔

Dr. Shaijumon C. S., Associate Professor of Economics, Department of Humanities, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), delivered a lecture on “Can Space Drive India’s Next Economic Transformation?” at MEDHA ’26, the Tech Fest organized by Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).
The lecture brought together more than 100 enthusiastic students from diverse academic disciplines, who actively participated in the session and raised several thoughtful and insightful questions.
During the lecture, Dr. Shaijumon discussed the evolution of Space Economics and the Indian Space Economy, highlighting the achievements of the Indian Space Programme and the growing significance of space infrastructure in supporting economic development.
The lecture covered a range of important themes, including:
• Space Economics and the evolution of the Indian Space Economy.
• The evolution and achievements of the Indian Space Programme.
• Space infrastructure as a foundation for economic development.
• The relationship between investments in the space sector and economic growth.
• India’s position in the global space economy.
• Indian Space Policy 2023 and its potential implications for the Indian economy.
• India’s opportunities and potential in the emerging space economy.
• Direct, indirect, and derived economic impacts of the space sector.
• The economic impacts and wider significance of Chandrayaan-3.
Everyone Has a Space in Space
A key message of the lecture was that the space sector extends far beyond rockets, satellites, scientists, and engineers. Dr. Shaijumon emphasized the meaningful contributions that economists, management professionals, social scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and students from diverse disciplines can make in shaping the future of the space economy.
“Everyone has a space in space” was highlighted as an important message for students exploring opportunities in the rapidly evolving space sector.
Dr. Shaijumon observed that space is no longer only about exploring the universe. It is increasingly associated with creating economic value, enabling innovation, generating employment, strengthening infrastructure, and contributing to societal transformation.
He further emphasized the potential role of the space sector in India’s next economic transition and the importance of people, ideas, innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development in shaping the future of the Indian space economy.
Interaction with Former Colleagues
The programme also provided Dr. Shaijumon an opportunity to meet former colleagues and dear friends, Prof. Honey John, Director, Centre for Nano Science, and Prof. Pramod, Head of the Department of Photonics, CUSAT.
He expressed his happiness at reconnecting with them and appreciated the opportunity to engage with the academic community at CUSAT.
Appreciation to the Organizing Team
Dr. Shaijumon expressed his sincere gratitude to Ms. Neethu, Head of Organising, and Mr. Mishal, Manager of the event, for the invitation and for organizing the programme.
He appreciated the enthusiasm, participation, and curiosity of the students, which made the session enriching and memorable. He also congratulated the entire organizing team of MEDHA ’26 for successfully conducting the event at CUSAT.
The lecture reflects IIST’s commitment to promoting awareness and academic engagement in Space Economics, space policy, and the wider socio-economic dimensions of India’s space programme.
“Everyone has a space in space!”

17/09/2026

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰

17/09/2026

𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬

IIST students capture stunning image of supernova SN 2026aaiv, a cosmic explosion that occurred 45 million years ago.

17/09/2026

𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

A Science and Technology Exposure Visit was organized at IIST for 46 ECE students from SA Engineering College accompanied by 3 faculty members. The visit commenced with a welcome address and introductory video, followed by laboratory visits.

The students were divided into two groups and visited the Virtual Reality Lab, Satellite Ground Station, SSPACE Lab, and ChemiSens Lab, where they gained exposure to advanced technologies, research activities, and their practical applications.

The visit concluded successfully, providing the students with valuable insight into space and emerging technologies.

16/09/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐮𝐦 : 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟?

IIST is hosting an institute Colloquium titled "What is the world made up of?" by Dr Indumathi D, Raja Ramanna Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, on 23rd September 2026.

15/09/2026

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 “𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 & 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭, 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞”

IEEE Power & Energy Society IIST Student Branch Chapter is organizing an expert lecture on “Hydrogen & Fuel Cells: The Context, Technology, History and Future”, featuring Dr. Shaneeth M., Group Director, Energy Systems Group, VSSC, ISRO, Trivandrum. The lecture will provide insights into the context, evolution, technology, applications and future prospects of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies, with a focus on their role in sustainable energy systems. The programme will also include an interaction with students, providing an opportunity for participants to engage with the speaker and gain insights from his experience in the field.

𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳
Dr. Shaneeth M. is the Group Director of the Energy Systems Group at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, Trivandrum. He holds a B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calicut and an M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur. He joined VSSC, ISRO, in 1997 and has extensive professional experience in advanced energy systems, including Nickel-Hydrogen batteries, PEM fuel cells, electrochemical energy systems and hydrogen technologies.