IIST has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) on 18th August 2025, for the development of the Retarding Potential Analyzer for Venus (RPA-V) payload. The instrument, designed to study the ionosphere of Venus, marks a significant step in India’s planetary exploration program. The project will be led by Prof. Umesh R Kadhane, along with faculty members Dr. Anoop C S, Dr. Immanuel Raja, Prof. Sooraj V. S, Dr. R Sudharshan Kaarthik, Prof. Pradeep Kumar P and Prof. Rajeevan P. P who will spearhead the development from IIST.

Interview with Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Vice Chancellor, IIST, by Kerala DD News. Prof. Dipanakr Banerjee gives valuable insights into the primary objectives of India's first solar observatory mission, Aditya L1, such as studying solar storms, solar flares, and space weather. He highlights the success of the collaborative efforts of various ISRO Centres to face the challenge of developing telescopes, cameras, and lenses suitable for the mission, a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also speaks about the IIST's proposed mission " Exoworld" to explore other planets in other galaxies.

Prof. B.S. Manoj, Professor, Department of Avionics, has been listed among the designated recipients of the National Award to Teachers 2025. The Honourable President of India will distribute the medals and certificates to the award recipients in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 5, 2025.

Invited Talk by Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Vice Chancellor, IIST

About the Talk:

The Aditya-L1 mission is a space mission by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) aimed at studying the Sun. It is India's first dedicated observatory class mission to observe the Sun, and it will focus on understanding the Sun's outermost layer, the corona, and its impact on the Earth. It observes the Sun's behavior regarding its magnetic fields, solar radiation, and how solar activities influence space weather. In this talk, I will present some of the recent findings.

Prof. Kuruvilla Joseph, Pro Vice Chancellor, IIST, was honored to attend the 'At Home' reception hosted by the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations. This event, a traditional and significant part of Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, is a formal reception hosted by the Honourable President of India. It brings together a diverse group of dignitaries, including high-ranking government officials, military leaders, diplomats, and prominent citizens, to commemorate the occasion. It is indeed a great honour to Prof.

Ph. D thesis by Dr. Govind Kumar Sharma has been selected to receive the 2025 Carbon Journal Prize for “an outstanding Ph.D. thesis in carbon materials science and technology'. Govind Kumar Sharma received his Ph.D. degree from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in July 2024, The thesis is titled ‘“Flexible Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Nanofiber Composites for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding’ and was supervised by Prof. Nirmala Rachel James, Department of Chemistry, IIST.

The Research Scholars’ Symposium on Metals, Materials, and Manufacturing (with a special focus on aerospace materials and manufacturing) was organized by the Indian Institute of Metals Trivandrum chapter in association with the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology on 8.3.2025. It was a prestigious academic gathering that brought together scholars, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest advancements in the field.

Dr. Vani Devi, Associate Professor, Dept. of Avionics, has been awarded the IEEE ComSoc Kerala Chapter Women in Communication Engineering Award 2024, for her contribution to 5G/6G research and development. The award was presented during the IEEE Comsoc Kerala Chapter Annual General Meeting.

A team of IIST delegates met with Shri. Rakkam A. Sangma, the Honorable Minister of Education, Government of Meghalaya. The meeting highlighted IIST’s commitment towards promoting STEM education, encouraging students to pursue careers in science and technology. IIST delegates briefed the Honorable Minister about the four day educational outreach program that IIST conducted jointly with NESAC for Meghalaya's young learners.

Dr. Lekha Chakraborty, Professor at NIPFP & Member, Board of Management, @IIPF_org Munich, delivered an insightful talk on "Public Policies for Gender Equality" on April 2, 2025. Organized by Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences and IQAC.

IIST and SPIC MACAY jointly hosted a mesmerizing Qawwali Programme by Warsi Brothers in IIST campus on 6th November 2024, offering students, faculty, and guests an evening of transcendent music, soulful poetry, and spiritual reflection. The event was a beautiful blend of cultural tradition and spiritual devotion, aiming to deepen the connection between the mind, body, and spirit through the mystical art of Sufi music.

IIST Library has organised an exclusive book exhibition - "The Gift of Wisdom" - on 16.12.2024, showcasing books donated by Dr B. N. Suresh, Honourable Chancellor, IIST. Shri. A. S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO, inaugurated the exhibition. Dr. B.N. Suresh (Hon. Chancellor, IIST), Prof. Dipankar Banerjee (Director, IIST), Prof. Kuruvilla Joseph (Registrar, IIST), and Dr. V. N. Narayanan (Director, LPSC), attended the function along with the faculty, student and staff of IIST.