The Union Government established the Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science and Technology (KCCRSST) at Chandigarh University on January 03, 2022.
The center aims to train Indian students in space science and satellite development to meet future challenges in space research and ensure India’s leading position in future space technologies.
Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-origin American astronaut. She became the first woman of Indian origin to go to space on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997.
Unfortunately, she died on February 1 2003 during the final flight of Space Shuttle Columbia when the spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
Chawla is regarded as a national hero in India and several streets, universities, and institutions have been named in her honor.
Talking about the newly established Kalpana Chawla Centre at the Chandigarh University, MOS Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that ISRO identified space technologies are available for transfer to interested & qualified industries through the Technology Transfer mechanism.
He said that as approved by the Union Cabinet, the space sector is unlocked for non-governmental private entities including sharing technical facilities based on the demand.
The Minister said that for strengthening the space sector of the country, the Department of Space has established incubation cells and Space Technology cells to encourage R&D in space science, technology, and applications at several premier institutes across the country.
Department of Space sponsors R&D projects in the focused areas of space to the interested academia across the country. Department of Space has formulated the Indian Space Policy, 2022 for engagement of NGEs in space activities.