Gorakhpur: Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT), Gorakhpur, has been selected by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), Department of Space, for setting up an Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Laboratory) under its Antariksh Prayogshala Scheme, the university stated.As part of the flagship ‘Classroom to Cosmos’ programme, a Centre of Excellence in Space Technology worth Rs 6.5 crore will be established at the university. The centre will house three integrated facilities- a Satellite Systems Laboratory, Space Robotics Laboratory and Space Environment Testing Facility.It would provide hands-on training and research opportunities in CubeSats, spacecraft avionics, satellite communication, ground stations, attitude control systems, autonomous robotics, planetary rovers and space-system simulation.The testing facility will offer capabilities for thermal-vacuum, vibration and thermal-cycling tests, besides electromagnetic-interference and electromagnetic-compatibility pre-compliance testing of space hardware.The project is being led by associate professor, department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Vijay Kumar Verma, as principal investigator. Verma has earlier served as Scientist/Engineer-SE at ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. Associate professor in the department of Information Technology and Computer Applications, Audithan Sivaraman, is the co-PI.The initiative is expected to boost interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, startup development and skill enhancement, while positioning Gorakhpur as an emerging hub for space technology and innovation in eastern Uttar Pradesh.MMMUT credited VC Prof Anupama Kaushik Sharma’s leadership and guidance for strengthening the university’s space technology initiatives.
