<p>The ISRO is embarking on a mission of a different kind by taking the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) to a much higher, futuristic research orbit.</p>.<p>The Bengaluru-headquarteted space agency is striking a partnership with the IIST -- something similar to the JPL- Caltech model in the United States.</p>.<p>JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) is federally funded by US space agency NASA and managed by Caltech (California Institute of Technology).</p>.<p>To coordinate joint research activities between ISRO centres and IIST, akin to the Caltech-JPL model, a dedicated framework has now been put into place, with CBPO (Capacity Building Programme Office) located at ISRO headquarters here as a focal point.</p>.<p>An Advanced Space Research Group has been created to identify application-oriented research projects of importance to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) centres and matching with the interests of IIST faculty.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="http://India, France working on third joint space mission, says ISRO Chairman Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-france-working-on-third-joint-space-mission-says-isro-chairman-964225.html" target="_blank">India, France working on third joint space mission, says ISRO Chairman </a></strong></p>.<p>An Empowered Overseeing Committee has been constituted to review and approve the proposals.</p>.<p>CBPO Director, P V Venkitakrishnan told P T I that under the initiative, "very advanced, totally new and futuristic projects" -- nothing that has been done by ISRO -- would be taken up.</p>.<p>"Twenty-eight to 30 projects have been identified", he said.</p>.<p>It's a mix of two-years, 3-5 years, and seven-year projects that would be pursued by IIST faculty.</p>.<p>Thiruvananthapuram-based IIST, an autonomous institution under the Department of Space (DoS) and a 'Deemed to be University', is similar to Caltech, according to him.</p>.<p>Asked about the time-frame by which he expects the partnership to reach the JPL-Caltech level, Venkitakrishnan said: "We are expecting within eight to ten years. That is our ambition, our aim".</p>.<p>It was noted that NASA's JPL, founded by Caltech faculty, is the leading centre for the robotic exploration of the solar system.</p>.<p>It also conducts Earth-orbit and astronomy missions.</p>.<p>JPL's workforce includes a diverse population of scientists, engineers, technologists, developers, communicators, designers, safety experts and business administrators.</p>.<p>Venkitakrishnan said through the Post-doctoral fellowship programme offered by IIST, ISRO wants to attract more and more talent towards space research.</p>.<p>He also said that the Union government has been requested to accord 'Institute of National Importance' status to IIST.</p>.<p>Once approved, various ISRO centres would become constituent learning centres, allowing IIST to have a wider off-campus, he said</p>
<p>The ISRO is embarking on a mission of a different kind by taking the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) to a much higher, futuristic research orbit.</p>.<p>The Bengaluru-headquarteted space agency is striking a partnership with the IIST -- something similar to the JPL- Caltech model in the United States.</p>.<p>JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) is federally funded by US space agency NASA and managed by Caltech (California Institute of Technology).</p>.<p>To coordinate joint research activities between ISRO centres and IIST, akin to the Caltech-JPL model, a dedicated framework has now been put into place, with CBPO (Capacity Building Programme Office) located at ISRO headquarters here as a focal point.</p>.<p>An Advanced Space Research Group has been created to identify application-oriented research projects of importance to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) centres and matching with the interests of IIST faculty.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="http://India, France working on third joint space mission, says ISRO Chairman Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-france-working-on-third-joint-space-mission-says-isro-chairman-964225.html" target="_blank">India, France working on third joint space mission, says ISRO Chairman </a></strong></p>.<p>An Empowered Overseeing Committee has been constituted to review and approve the proposals.</p>.<p>CBPO Director, P V Venkitakrishnan told P T I that under the initiative, "very advanced, totally new and futuristic projects" -- nothing that has been done by ISRO -- would be taken up.</p>.<p>"Twenty-eight to 30 projects have been identified", he said.</p>.<p>It's a mix of two-years, 3-5 years, and seven-year projects that would be pursued by IIST faculty.</p>.<p>Thiruvananthapuram-based IIST, an autonomous institution under the Department of Space (DoS) and a 'Deemed to be University', is similar to Caltech, according to him.</p>.<p>Asked about the time-frame by which he expects the partnership to reach the JPL-Caltech level, Venkitakrishnan said: "We are expecting within eight to ten years. That is our ambition, our aim".</p>.<p>It was noted that NASA's JPL, founded by Caltech faculty, is the leading centre for the robotic exploration of the solar system.</p>.<p>It also conducts Earth-orbit and astronomy missions.</p>.<p>JPL's workforce includes a diverse population of scientists, engineers, technologists, developers, communicators, designers, safety experts and business administrators.</p>.<p>Venkitakrishnan said through the Post-doctoral fellowship programme offered by IIST, ISRO wants to attract more and more talent towards space research.</p>.<p>He also said that the Union government has been requested to accord 'Institute of National Importance' status to IIST.</p>.<p>Once approved, various ISRO centres would become constituent learning centres, allowing IIST to have a wider off-campus, he said</p>