ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan Inaugurates Thermal Science Research Centre at IIT Madras to Boost India’s Space Ambitions

On March 17, 2025, Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, launched the “Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research” at IIT Madras. The center aims to enhance India’s self-reliance in advanced space technologies and attract global talent. Focused on thermal management, the center will support India’s future space missions, including lunar, Mars, and deep-space exploration. Named after aerospace engineer Shri S. Ramakrishnan, it is located in IIT Madras’ Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Dr. Narayanan highlighted India’s achievements in cryogenic engine technology and stressed the importance of collaboration between ISRO and IIT Madras. The center will address cooling system challenges, train future space scientists, and develop new thermal solutions. It aims to revolutionize spacecraft design, boost deep space exploration, and reduce reliance on foreign technologies.

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan Inaugurates Thermal Science Research Centre at IIT Madras to Boost India’s Space Ambitions

On March 17, 2025, Dr. V. Narayanan, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), inaugurated a new research center at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). This center, named the “Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research,” aims to strengthen India’s capabilities in advanced space technologies and attract top talent and funding from around the world. The facility will focus on thermal management, a critical area for spacecraft and rocket technologies, essential for India’s growing space exploration goals.

Located within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras, the center will address challenges related to heat dissipation, cooling systems, and fluid dynamics. These areas are crucial for the development of next-generation spacecraft and satellites. The research conducted here will directly support India’s upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The center is named in honor of Shri S. Ramakrishnan, an IIT Madras graduate and renowned aerospace engineer. Ramakrishnan played a pivotal role in the development of India’s launch vehicles. Additionally, the center features the newly opened “Arcot Ramachandran Seminar Hall,” named after the late Professor Arcot Ramachandran, who made significant contributions to the field of heat transfer research.

During the inauguration, Dr. Narayanan spoke about India’s achievements in cryogenic engine technology and emphasized the importance of collaboration between ISRO and IIT Madras. He expressed optimism about the institute’s potential to make groundbreaking discoveries, even suggesting that Nobel Prize-level breakthroughs could be possible. He also assured that the Department of Space would fully support the center’s initiatives.

The research center will focus on improving thermal management systems for spacecraft and rockets, developing innovative cooling technologies, and training the next generation of space scientists and engineers. It will also foster partnerships between ISRO and IIT Madras researchers to integrate advanced thermal solutions into future space missions.

In the near future, the center plans to work on new cooling systems and test advanced heat pipes. Over the long term, it aims to transform spacecraft design, enhance India’s ability to explore deep space, and reduce reliance on foreign technology by creating indigenous solutions for thermal management in space applications.

This initiative marks a significant step forward for India’s space program, combining the expertise of ISRO and IIT Madras to address critical challenges in space technology. By focusing on thermal management, the center will play a key role in ensuring the success of India’s ambitious space missions, including those to the Moon, Mars, and other distant destinations.

The establishment of the Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence reflects India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in space exploration. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and space agencies in driving innovation and achieving self-reliance in advanced technologies. With its state-of-the-art facilities and focus on cutting-edge research, the center is poised to make significant contributions to India’s space program and inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.