The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram last year in a low key manner though with a clear eye on its future programmes.

Eminent scientist and member of space commission Dr B N Suresh was appointed as the institute’s first director. A native of Koppa, Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, Dr Suresh has won several awards and honours including the Padmasree for his contributions to the space programme.

After serving ISRO for over 38 and half years, he laid down office of Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in November 2007.

Dr Suresh spoke about the agenda before IIST to R Gopakumar of Deccan Herald at the ISRO centre at Veli in Thiruvananthapuram. Excerpts

Deccan Herald: ISRO can claim some commendable achievements in the last two years and it has also lined up some ambitious projects. What is the significance of IIST in the emerging scenario?

B N Suresh: In the recent past we have not been successful in recruiting quality scientists and engineers at ISRO to meet the growing challenges because of the prevailing job market scenario. We have not had a single new recruit from quality institutions like IIT, NIT or a prominent university in the past eight to ten years. This prompted the ISRO chairman to think about starting our own space institute, admit bright plus-two students who are interested in such high technology areas and train them with focus towards space activities.

The institute will meet the full expenses towards their fees, hostel and food charges. The students will have to fulfil just one condition - serve ISRO for a minimum of 5 years after the completion of the course.

DH: Do you have in place a curriculum based on the future requirements of ISRO?

BNS: Of course, the whole curriculum has been structured keeping in mind the requirements of ISRO. We offer mainly three streams - four years BTech in avionics and aerospace engineering and an integrated five years masters degree in applied sciences. The curriculum will have more focus on space-related activities in addition to the basic subjects that you get to learn in IITs or any other prominent university. They will also have exposure to various laboratories of ISRO and an opportunity to take up research in any of the technology areas relevant to ISRO programmes.

A student who passes out of this course can work in ISRO without getting into any training programme which is presently in vogue for the fresh graduates who are joining. 

DH: What will be the IIST’s contribution for future ambitious projects like interplanetary missions and possibly even a manned mission?

BNS: These projects demand high calibre personnel to carry out the research in several critical technology areas.
The institute is committed to achieving excellence in science and technology education to meet the demands of advanced missions of ISRO and also to ensure that  the needed high quality human resources are made available in the coming years.

DH: How much expenditure will the ISRO incur for the IIST in a year?

BNS: In my opinion the expenses on such a venture have to be considered as investments for our ambitious future programmes.

If we want to sustain the programmes envisaged by ISRO for the next 10 to 15 years we need high quality personnel. Compared to the expenses we incur for these future programmes, the cost of training is very negligible.

DH: Space technology evolves rapidly when compared to other streams of academics. For  IIST, it seems there is a lot of ground to be covered.

BNS: Space programme certainly demands cutting edge technologies. Our aim is to tailor the courses to meet these demands. Keeping in mind our overall requirements of human resources in the coming years we have structured the courses accordingly. The avionics stream will encompass  the entire spectrum of electronics like digital, RF system, computer science, control systems, software etc. Similarly aerospace engineering covers aerospace structure, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, machine design, manufacturing etc. Applied sciences stream will address the entire space science like astronomy, astrophysics, planetary sciences,remote sensing etc. It is also important to note that the IIST caters to only 40 to 50 per cent of ISRO’s requirements whereas the remaining intake will still be through open advertisement.

DH: You had a remarkable career in ISRO and were also chairman of the subcommittee on Science & Technology of the UN committee on peaceful uses of outer space (UN-COPUOS).

BNS: I started off working in the area of control systems and I must say that I was lucky to get involved in the navigation, guidance and control area for all launch vehicles. I am satisfied that today all the systems are operational and functioning very well and as Director VSSC, I was able to initiate very many technology development projects which are progressing satisfactorily.

I also enjoyed every minute of my stint at UN-COPUOS. Two important initiatives like guidelines for debris management in space and also establishing a common platform for global disaster management under UN were passed in the Committee while I was the Chairman. Subsequently both were adopted by the UN General Assembly during my tenure.