Honouring Excellence: ITM SLS Baroda University’s Inaugural Convocation with Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman, DRDO and Dr. A S Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO

Honouring Excellence: ITM SLS Baroda University’s Inaugural Convocation with Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman, DRDO and Dr. A S Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO

ITM SLS Baroda University celebrated a momentous occasion as it hosted its inaugural convocation ceremony on 27-04-2024, honouring graduates from diverse disciplines. The ceremony, held at the university campus, marked a significant milestone in the academic journey of these esteemed graduates.

Distinguished personalities graced the occasion, with Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Government of India, serving as the Chief Guest. Additionally, Padma Shri AS Kumar, Ex-Chairman of ISRO and the architect of Mangal mission was the Guest of Honour, adding further prestige to the event.

Dr. Samir Kamat delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the importance of purpose and passion in life. He shared anecdotes highlighting DRDO’s contributions to defence research and encouraged students to contribute to society and the nation. Similarly, Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar, former chairman of ISRO, stressed the significance of learning from failure and narrated inspiring stories of eminent scientists who overcame challenges to bring glory to India.

Ten Gold Medals were awarded to the toppers of various disciplines, recognizing their outstanding academic achievements. The convocation ceremony served as a testament to the dedication and commitment of students, faculty, and staff towards the holistic development of graduates.

Heartfelt congratulations were extended by Kanupriya Singh Rathore, President, and Ravindra Pratap Singh, Vice-President of ITM SLS Baroda University, to all graduating students and their families. Their achievements stand as a source of pride for the university, and it is confident in their future contributions to society and the nation.

ITM SLS Baroda University and ISRO Unite Forces in Historic MOU, Paving the Way for Innovation and Excellence in Space Science Education

ITM SLS Baroda University and ISRO Unite Forces in Historic MOU, Paving the Way for Innovation and Excellence in Space Science Education

In a momentous event at the ITM SLS Baroda University campus today, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the university and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The ceremony, graced by Er. Nilesh Desai, Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC-ISRO), and several esteemed officials from ISRO, marked a significant collaboration between academia and the space agency.

Er. Nilesh Desai, the chief guest of the program, highlighted the importance of such partnerships in fostering scientific advancements and technological innovations. He emphasized ISRO’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for students, academicians, and researchers.

In an appreciative tone, he acknowledged the robust representation of the university’s academic community at the event, highlighting the enthusiasm and commitment of the faculty members, administrative staff, and other key personnel.

Expressing his appreciation, Er. Nilesh Desai recognized the strong synergy between the academic community of ITM SLS Baroda University and the goals of ISRO. He commended the dedication and passion exhibited by the university’s staff, emphasizing their crucial role in fostering an environment conducive to collaboration and innovation.

The MOU is poised to be a game-changer for the academic and research community at ITM SLS Baroda University. The collaboration will facilitate:

Research Opportunities: The agreement opens avenues for joint research projects between ISRO and ITM SLS Baroda University, allowing students and researchers to actively contribute to space-related studies.

Internships and Training Programs: Students will have the unique opportunity to engage in internships and training programs at ISRO facilities, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge space technologies.

Knowledge Transfer: ISRO officials will conduct workshops, seminars, and guest lectures, providing invaluable insights into the latest developments in space science and technology.

Collaborative Projects: The MOU encourages collaborative projects between faculty members and ISRO scientists, fostering an exchange of ideas and expertise.

President Kanu Priya Singh Rathore expressed her best wishes for this historical MOU.

Vice President Ravindra Singh Rathore, in an impassioned address during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ITM SLS Baroda University and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), conveyed his profound enthusiasm and declared the occasion as a “historical milestone” for the university.

His words resonated with the significance of the collaboration, emphasizing that the MOU marked a pivotal moment in the university’s journey, one that would have far-reaching effects on various facets of its functioning. Sh. Rathore underscored the profound impact on students’ education, portraying the partnership with ISRO as an invaluable opportunity for academic enrichment and practical exposure.

The partnership between ITM SLS Baroda University and ISRO is expected to enhance the educational experience for students, empower academicians with cutting-edge knowledge, and propel researchers into new realms of discovery. As the two institutions embark on this collaborative journey, it is anticipated that such initiatives will become a model for fostering synergies between academic institutions and government organizations to drive scientific and technological advancements.

The event was attended by the entire spectrum of ITM SLS Baroda University staff, including faculty members, administrative staff, and other key personnel. Er. Nilesh Desai, the chief guest of the program, expressed his appreciation for the strong presence of the university’s academic community.

Radiation-Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM) By TakeMe2Space, India

Radiation-Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM) By TakeMe2Space, India

Mission Objective with POEM

RSEM is a module to test the effectiveness of Tantalum (Ta) coating for radiation shielding in space. Satellite builders today are dependent on radiation-hardened electronic components which has 60-90 weeks lead time and also 10x the cost of nonhardened components. The coating developed by TakeMe2Space would hence help satellite builders to reduce cost of the electronics and faster development cycles. TakeMe2Space is excited to partner with ISRO to test our coating. ISRO’s POEM is fast and most cost-effective platform that enables start-ups to test & validate space ideas. TakeMe2Space is using this opportunity to validate if the coating works in vacuum of space and measure the coating-thickness to radiation-protection property.

Advantages of Radiation Shielding

With TakeMe2Space’s proprietary recipe to develop the thick and dense coating of Tantalum on Aluminium, it has direct impact on the following sectors:

  • Satellite builders can coat the chassis and extend the mission lifetime of their satellites.
  • STEM students and universities who are building experimental space missions have tight budgets, hence a radiation shielding coating would be the most effective way to build a satellite and yet aim for a longer mission lifespan.

Based on the data received from the POEM mission, TakeMe2Space is further working towards developing various Tantalum tapes which can just be pasted on the satellite chassis for the protection. This would make it easier for satellite builders to just apply tape to the chassis and enable radiation protection.

How RSEM works?

RSEM has 4 dosimeters which measures the TID (Total Ionisation Dose) inside each housing. Each housing has different Ta coating thickness. More details of the RSEM can be found here.

The above image shows the cross-section of the coating. TakeMe2Space’s coating method ensures a dense (non-porous) growth of coat and no delamination.

About TakeMe2Space

TakeMe2Space is a Hyderabad based space tech start-up which aims to build a satellite based orbital infrastructure open for all. Hence, it’s important to reduce the costs of building the satellite hardware, without compromising the mission lifespan. TakeMe2Space has developed a novel way of developing thick radiation shielding coating on top of Aluminium. Partners like stemorks and University of Hyderabad were crucial to bring RSEM into fruition. ISRO via the POEM provided the fastest and most cost effective way to validate the coating in space.