AICTE Introduces Space Technology Curriculum Amid Rapid Growth in India's Space Sector
The increasing demand for a skilled workforce in the space sector and the successful Chandrayaan 3 mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have led the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to introduce a new model curriculum for a minor degree in space technology at the undergraduate level. This curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), includes six courses covering essential topics such as introduction to space technology, launch vehicle systems and technologies, spaceflight mechanics and attitude dynamics, spacecraft systems, space data products and services, and space economics, laws, policy, and benefits.
India's space sector is poised to become a central hub for space commerce across various industries. Valued at $9.6 billion in 2020 and contributing 2% of the global space economy, it is projected to grow to $13 billion by 2025, according to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
AICTE plans to expand this curriculum into a full-fledged major degree in space technology. Currently, only a few institutes offer specialized courses: IIT Madras and IIT Bombay provide introductory courses, IIT Roorkee offers a master's program, and IIT Indore has a bachelor's degree in the field. The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) also offers both bachelor's and master's degrees in various space technology disciplines.
The Indian Space Policy 2023 has opened the space sector to private sector participation, creating new career opportunities in space science and related fields. In 2023 alone, India welcomed 54 new space startups, increasing the total number to 204, up from just one in 2014, according to the Indian Space Association (ISPA). To address the growing demand for a skilled workforce, IN-SPACe established the National Committee for Adoption of Space Technology Education in 2023. This committee aims to develop and introduce educational curricula and skill courses in space technology to raise awareness and meet the sector's expanding needs.
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