Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology to submit the proposal to ISRO for initiating launch process of its first Student Satellite “Thaparsat”

 

The Thapar satellite program aims to monitor environment issues and real-time pollution level in Punjab and entire Northern region

New Delhi : Taking a step towards imparting experiential education to its students in engineering and technological development involved in satellite building and space missions, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology started the Thapar Satellite Program four years ago. Satellite “Thaparsat”, the hard work of the Thapar Student Satellite Program team has turned into a satisfying and wonderful output. The satellite is ready and is in the final stages of testing. The purpose of the satellite is to monitor real-time pollution caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and to measure soil moisture content in northern India. A proposal to start the launch process will soon be submitted to ISRO by the TIET team.

TIET’s satellite program is a milestone in the direction of development of academic and research programs in “Space Science and Technology”. To celebrate this miracle and start the journey ahead, TIET organized a half-day symposium on “ThaparSAT: An Initiative of TIET towards Future of Space Program in Punjab State” at Thapar Institute of Engineering on May 24, 2024.

The dignitaries of Punjab government institutions participated in the symposium; GS Majithia, Member Secretary Punjab Pollution Control Board, Mrs. Dapinder Bakshi, Joint Director Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Dr. Brijendra Pateria, Director Punjab Remote Sensing Center and Mr. Jaswinder Singh, CAO, Department of Agriculture . Dr. A.S. Pillai, Founder MD Brahmos Aerospace Ltd. Along with representatives of the space industry and other academic institutions of the country were present at the event.

Shri RR Vadera, Chairman BoG, Dr. Padmakumar Nair, Director and Dr. Ajay Batish, Deputy Director, told about the successful commissioning of Thaparsat. The dignitaries present were very happy to see this progress and congratulated the Thapar Satellite Program team led by Dr. Mamata Gulati, Professor, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. The highlights of the symposium were discussions on the importance of Thaparsat in future policy making for agricultural development in the state, the need for start-ups in the space technology sector in the Punjab region and capacity building in colleges and the importance of Thaparsat for that.

For the effective use of space technology, the symposium concluded with a commitment by government bodies, educational institutions and the space technology industry to join hands to use technology for the benefit of society.