Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024

About START

• A training programme called START is available online for undergraduate and postgraduate students of science and technology who want to learn about space science and technology.
• The Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024 programme will take place from April to May 2024.
• The programme covers various areas of space science research, including planetary science and exploration, astronomy and astrophysics, heliophysics or the interaction between the sun and Earth, atmospheric science, and research related to microgravity platforms that are part of the new human space programme.

Objectives

• The training programme aims to attract young people to the fields of space science and technology. The training will cover introductory-level topics on various verticals of space science and technology. Additionally, there will be sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.
• The purpose of this programme is to provide basic knowledge and encourage an interest in space science and technology among young people.

Eligibility Criteria

• Students who are pursuing post-graduation or final year undergraduate courses in physical sciences, such as Physics and Chemistry, and technology streams like Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical, Applied Physics, Radiophysics, Optics & Opto-electronics, Instrumentation, and other related subjects, can apply for training programmes.
• This opportunity is open only to students studying in educational institutes, universities, and colleges in India.

Importance

• The START-2024 programme is a prime example of ISRO's commitment to advancing India in the space industry.
• By engaging the academic community and nurturing talented future space scientists and engineers, ISRO is investing in the foundation that will enable India to thrive in the competitive and rapidly advancing arena of space exploration and technology.
• This initiative is expected to not only boost domestic academic involvement in space sciences but also contribute to the global space industry by equipping emerging talent with the knowledge and skills required to tackle tomorrow's challenges.

Issues and Challenges

• The space industry, including India's, is facing a few challenges despite the positive outlook.
• These challenges include managing space debris, ensuring cybersecurity for satellite networks, dealing with regulatory hurdles, and investing in research and development. Overcoming these challenges is essential to keep the growth of the space industry going.
• START-2024 is an educational programme that is helpful in tackling these challenges. It creates a workforce that is skilled in dealing with the technical and policy aspects of space exploration and usage.

Category of Participants

START is aimed to reach out to the maximum beneficiaries not only to students belonging to Institutions in India but also to registered individuals. The students of approved nodal centres as well as individuals can register and join the online training programme by choosing the appropriate category for registration as detailed below.

Category-1: Students from approved START host institutes/nodal centres

Post-graduate students and final year under graduate students of physical sciences (Physics and Chemistry) and technology (e.g. Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical, Applied Physics, Radiophysics, Optics & Opto-electronics, Instrumentation and other associated subjects) studying in educational institutes/ Universities/ Colleges in India are eligible to be considered for the training under this category. Participation certificate / merit certificate will be provided to the eligible students.

Link for registering student participants of approved nodal center

Category-2: Individuals of any background

Interested individual participants (including students who are not eligible / could not join through the category-1) of any background can directly register and attend the live sessions through Youtube Channel of IIRS- https://www.youtube.com/@iirsoutreachdehradun Participation certificate will be provided to the eligible participants.

Link for registering individual participant:

Category-3: Public for knowledge gain

Public can watch the live sessions of START for knowledge gain without registering in the website. The link for watching START is - https://www.youtube.com/@iirsoutreachdehradun

Timeline for Participant Registration

Commencement of registration: 6th April 2024 Last date for registration: 19th April 2024

Course Fee: START programme is offered by ISRO free of cost. There is no registration fee / admission fee.