The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have joined forces to establish a state-of-the-art research center dedicated to fluid and thermal sciences. This new facility aims to address critical thermal management challenges associated with spacecraft and launch vehicles, a vital aspect of India’s growing space ambitions. ISRO has provided initial seed funding of ₹1.84 crore to set up the center, which is expected to become a hub for innovation in thermal engineering and contribute significantly to India’s self-reliance in space technologies.

The research center will focus on solving complex thermal engineering issues such as heat dissipation and control under extreme conditions, which are essential for the design, analysis, and testing of spacecraft components. By leveraging the academic resources and expertise of IIT Madras, the initiative seeks to enhance ISRO’s operational readiness and technological advancements in space exploration. Researchers will explore key areas including cryo-tank thermodynamics, spacecraft thermal systems, and combustion stability in hybrid rocket engines.

During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IIT Madras, Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research at IIT Madras, and Victor Joseph T., Director of ISRO’s Directorate of Technology Development & Innovation, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. Prof. Arvind Pattamatta from IIT Madras’ mechanical engineering department, who will coordinate the project, emphasized that the center will foster a strong partnership between industry and academia. He noted that the initiative would enable collaborative breakthroughs in thermal sciences, critical for India’s ambitious space missions.

The center builds on a long-standing partnership between ISRO and IIT Madras, which began in 1985 with the establishment of the ‘ISRO-IIT Madras Space Technology Cell.’ This earlier collaboration focused on developing foundational knowledge and fostering self-reliance in space research. The new facility extends this legacy, aligning with ISRO’s evolving research needs and expanding its mission portfolio.

With research projects and a focus on knowledge sharing, the center is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing ISRO’s future challenges. It will not only strengthen India’s space program but also advance the country’s global standing in space technology innovation.