IIT Madras sets up research centre for fluid and thermal science to support space technology research

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has established a new research centre, ‘Shri S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research,’ to support advancements in space technology. Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), V Narayanan, inaugurated the centre. The centre aims to support space technology research and self-reliance under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

This research facility is located at the department of mechanical engineering, and will focus on critical advancements in spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management, a key area for India's expanding space ambitions.

IIT Madras: Key roles of research centre

The key roles of the Shri S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research Centre are given below.

• Thermal management in spacecraft and launch vehicles: Developing solutions for heat dissipation in satellites and rockets.
• Cooling system advancements: Conducting experimental and numerical studies on micro heat pipes, spray cooling, vapour chambers, and two-phase heat transfer devices.
• Simulation and testing: Using high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and experimental setups for real-world validation.
• Capacity building and training: Encouraging ISRO scientists to pursue higher studies at IIT Madras and strengthening industry-academia collaborations.

The director of IIT Madras, V Kamakoti, also inaugurated the ‘Arcot Ramachandran Seminar Hall’ during the event. Arcot Ramachandran, former director of IIT Madras, contributed to research in heat transfer and thermal sciences.

The centre will function as a research hub for heat transfer, cooling systems, and fluid dynamics, which are important for spacecraft and satellite technologies. Scientists and engineers from ISRO will work with faculty and researchers from IIT Madras to address thermal challenges in space applications.

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ISRO-IIT Madras collaboration

Speaking on the occasion, V Narayanan, said, “The Cryogenic Engine technology was denied to India but today, we have three different such engines with the third one being human-rated. Only six countries in the world have this technology. We have made three world records in this technology - We got it right in our third attempt. Second, From the engine test to flight, we got it done in 28 months. Other countries took between 42 Months and 18 Years. and finally, we conducted the test in 34 Days which no other country had done as they took around 5 to 6 months.”

Looking forward to the collaboration, V Kamakoti said, “More and more we explore the space, we have an increasing need for technologies that could handle thermal and cooling requirements. I am sure the proposed Centre jointly with ISRO shall develop very effective solutions for the same.”

Research focus and objectives

Highlighting the expected outcomes from this new research centre, its coordinator Arvind Pattamatta, Centre Coordinator, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, outlined medium-term goals including the development of advanced thermal management techniques and prototyping of next-generation heat pipes. Integration with ISRO’s space missions and incorporation of research findings into projects will be a focus.

Long-term goals include developing high-performance, reusable space vehicles with thermal control, enhancing deep space exploration capabilities, and boosting indigenous space technology.

S Somanath, Vikram Sarabhai Professor, ISRO, P Chandramouli, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, and PV Venkitakrishnan, Professor of Practice, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, also spoke at the event.