As part of the National Space Day 2026 celebrations, IIST has organised an "Open House" on 13 August 2026 to provide students and faculty from schools and colleges with an opportunity to visit the institute's academic, research, and innovation ecosystem.

The programme saw participation from schools and colleges across the country, providing students with an opportunity to interact with the academic and research community and to gain firsthand exposure to different domains of space sciences.

Prof. K. S. S. Moosath, Dean (SA&O), welcomed the visitors. An interactive session with Dr Dipankar Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor, IIST, was organised as part of the programme titled "Expert Insights". Vice Chancellor briefly introduced the academic and research activities of the IIST and gave a talk on the Aditya-L1 mission. Students interacted and cleared their questions about the Aditya mission.

One of the highlights of the Open House was an interaction with Dr. Yedhu Krishna, CEO, Specrule Scientific Pvt. Ltd., an IIST-incubated start-up. The session introduced students to the journey of innovation and entrepreneurship and demonstrated how scientific and technological ideas can be translated into practical applications.

The visiting students also witnessed hands-on demonstrations by IIST student clubs, including the Aero Club and Rocketry Club. The demonstrations provided a platform for students to understand the practical aspects of aerospace engineering, rocketry and related technologies, while also showcasing the technical activities and initiatives undertaken by IIST students. An important part of the Open House was the guided tour of IIST's state-of-the-art research laboratories and facilities. The participants were introduced to the research labs and advanced facilities available at the institute.

The enthusiastic participation of around 320 students from institutions in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and their active involvement in various activities, reflected the growing interest among young learners in India's space programme and related technological fields. The event successfully contributed to the objectives of the National Space Day 2026 celebrations by providing students with meaningful exposure to IIST’s academic, research, and innovation programmes.