Hummingbird News Desk
CHENNAI, 11 MARCH: In a groundbreaking collaboration, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with Vellon Space, an Indian space start-up, to spearhead research and development in extra-terrestrial manufacturing. This partnership heralds a significant milestone in orbital ‘Microgravity Research’, aiming to propel humanity into a new era of exploration and discovery.
The collaboration entails Vellon Space receiving a Technology Development Fund from IIT Madras to showcase its pioneering miniature space laboratory, dubbed the ‘AsteriX Lab’, in orbit. The AsteriX Lab, slated for demonstration in space by 2025, will undergo rigorous testing to conduct biological experiments, particularly focusing on long-duration cell culture under Lower Earth Microgravity.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Prof. Sathyan Subbiah from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras, and Coordinator of ExTeM-IIT Madras, emphasized its potential to revolutionize cell culture and drug development processes in space, leading to enhanced pharmaceuticals and improved human health outcomes.
The Extra-Terrestrial Manufacturing research center (ExTeM-IITM) at IIT Madras, comprising a team of dedicated researchers, is committed to developing technologies for manufacturing goods in space, catering to both space-based and terrestrial applications.
Prof. G.K. Suraishkumar, an esteemed expert in the domain from the Department of Biotechnology at IIT Madras and Co-Principal Investigator of Phase 02 of ExTeM, expressed satisfaction in contributing to the capability demonstration of biological experiments in space. This collaboration promises advancements in understanding microgravity’s effects on biological systems, innovations in drug development processes, and the creation of commercial opportunities within the space technology sector.
Mr. Ajay Kumar, Founder and CEO of Vellon Space, emphasized the strategic alignment of expertise and resources in this partnership, foreseeing not only scientific advancements but also the emergence of future endeavors in In-Space Manufacturing.
The IoE Research Centre on Extra-Terrestrial Manufacturing (ExTeM) at IIT Madras fills a crucial gap in space-related manufacturing research. While current efforts primarily focus on developing technologies for manufacturing launch vehicles and satellites, the collaboration between IIT Madras and Vellon Space aims to pioneer the manufacturing of products and assemblies in space for use both in space and on Earth.
This fusion of innovation and vision between IIT Madras and Vellon Space holds the promise of unlocking the full potential of space technology, propelling humanity towards unprecedented heights of exploration and discovery.
Tags: #IITM #ExtraTerrestrialManufacturing #VellonSpace
