IIT Madras calls upon Indo-Pacific countries to boost scientific collaboration in space sector

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), the US Consulate General Chennai and the Indian Space Association (ISpA), a non-profit industry body, have called upon governments and the business community in Indo-Pacific countries to boost scientific and business collaboration in the space technology sector.

According to an IIT Madras statement, the organisations have highlighted three core areas where further collaboration would lead to the greatest benefit. These are: Make in Space for Use in Space, Make on Earth for Use in Space and Make in Space for Use Back on Earth.

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Professor V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, on January 25, has released a Whitepaper titled ‘Space Technology: The Next Business Frontier - Opportunities and Challenges for the Indo-Pacific Region’ and presented the first copy to Judith Ravin, U.S. Consul General in Chennai.

IIT Madras’ Whitepaper

The Whitepaper will be shared widely with key stakeholders in India, the United States, Indo-Pacific and other countries who are leaders or emerging or are planning to develop the space industry sector in their countries. It can be accessed using the following link: spaceconclave2022.wixsite.com/spaceconclave/our-vision, the statement added.

The Whitepaper is an outcome of a three-day international conclave hosted by IIT Madras in collaboration with ISpA and supported by the U.S. Consulate General Chennai, from October 15 to 17. The participants included representatives of public and private sector space agencies from fifteen countries including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), the Australian Space Agency (ASA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

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Speaking during the White Paper release event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The space sector, particularly in India, is moving towards large-scale commercialization. Many private players and start-ups are in advanced stages looking at many areas such as rapid launches, sea launch, and different satellites that can be launched. What is exciting today is that we are able to close things faster due to policies and also due to the lot of collaborations. I would like Space Tech Conclaves to become an annual event with sub-group meetings happening at regular intervals.”

Emphasising the need for collaboration in the space sector, Judith Ravin, U.S. Consul General in Chennai, said, “This effort is an example of the US Government commitment to US-India Space Cooperation. Efforts undertaken through this grant also demonstrate collaboration by the US Consulate General in Chennai and IIT Madras in support of key areas of US-India partnership. A recent report by the Space Foundation indicated that between 2020 and 2021, the global space economy value rose to $470 billion as Government and space commercial ventures continue to grow.”