The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on Tuesday signed an MoU with the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla in Sambalpur, to promote space research.

Isro will provide the university financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh and also lend it technical support for research.

The MoU was signed between secretary, department of space (DOS) and chairman Isro, K. Sivan and vice-chancellor of VSSUT Prof. Atal Chaudhuri through video conferencing. The MoU will remain valid for five years.

Talking to The Telegraph, Prof Chaudhuri said: “An exclusive Space Research Innovation Lab named as ‘Veer Surendra Sai Space Innovation Centre’ (VSSSIC) will be set up at VSSUT, for carrying out space research and development in the area of Sounding Rockets, Launch Vehicles and Satellites.”

Initially, the Isro will provide Rs 50 lakh as seed money to promote space research and provide the transfer of knowledge which is very important for an institute. “The grant in aid of Rs 50 lakh will be utilised towards the development of high end simulation tools, miniature test facilities (like static test facility, solid propulsion research lab, vibration table etc.) and establish the testing facility for scaled down models,” said the vice chancellor.

“Later on it will consistently provide financial support on a long term basis for the development of space research and rocket technology. Nearly 100 students every year will get the benefit of the Innovation centre. Modern equipment will be installed in the innovation centre,” Prof Chaudhuri said.

The grant will be utilised to create laboratory facilities for the conduct of research and development work in the area of sounding rockets, launch vehicles, and satellites.

Chaudhuri said, “We will soon introduce a course on post graduate studies in space research. Those who will do the research can use all the facilities in different campuses of Isro across India. The scientists of the Isro will visit our university on a regular basis and deliver lecture to our students. Our students will also visit the Isro headquarters, Bangalore to get exposure.”

As per the agreement, Isro shall provide necessary guidance to VSSSIC for developing the facilities to test and evaluate the launch vehicles developed by them on a progressive and sustainable growth basis. d. Considering the range safety and potential hazards related to rocket launching, Isro shall facilitate the limited utilization of the established sounding rocket launching facilities like Thumba (VSSC, Isro), Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR), or Balasore (under DRDO) where all kinds of safety systems are available for the launch of future sounding rockets developed at VSSSIC, VSSUT.

Chaudhuri said how Isro had evinced interest to sign the MoU after the ‘sounding rocket’ developed by its students found a place in the Limca Book of Records.