In News: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently announced that it would help eight joint research projects proposed by IIT-Space Delhi’s Technology Cell.
The ISRO has pledged its support to the RESPOND program’s projects.
About RESPOND programme of ISRO
- In the 1970s, ISRO launched the RESPOND (Research Sponsored) programme.
- Aim: To encourage academia to engage in and contribute to a variety of space-related research activities.
- ISRO provides financial assistance to academic institutions in India to conduct research and development activities in the fields of space science, space technology, and space applications.
- This is ISRO’s flagship initiative for promoting extramural study in new areas of space at academia.
- It aims to strengthen the academic base, create human capital, and improve facilities at academic institutions in order to fund space programmes.
- India is on track to launch Gaganyaan, its first human spaceflight mission, which will enable Indian astronauts to conduct space experiments. This large-scale mission would help the country’s preparations for potential deep-space missions.
Status of Ongoing RESPOND Programme
Projects and Institutions supported under RESPOND Programme as of September, 2020.
Number of Projects Ongoing : 214
- Space Science : 23
- Space Technology : 145
- Space Applications : 46
Academic Institutions supported under the Projects : 117
- Universities and Colleges : 79
- IITs/NITs : 31
- Other Institutions: 7
Space Technology Cells at :
- IITs (Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee, Guwahati and Delhi) : 7
- IISc Bangalore : 1
- Joint Research Programme at SP Pune University : 1
Conferences/Workshops supported during 2019-20 : 39
Additional Link: https://journalsofindia.com/isro-and-its-role-in-defence/
Source: The Hindu & isro.gov.in
