The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has teamed up with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to launch a new Centre of Excellence focused on “Fluid and Thermal Sciences.” With an initial seed funding of Rs 1.84 crore from ISRO, the Centre will become a vital hub for thermal management research, targeting solutions for spacecraft and launch vehicles.
The new Centre will concentrate on research related to spacecraft thermal management, combustion instability in hybrid rockets, and cryo-tank thermodynamics. This collaboration between ISRO and IIT Madras will also expand the research scope for the Department of Space, contributing to advancements in fluid and thermal sciences that are essential for India’s space exploration goals.
This partnership not only provides vital infrastructure and support for innovative research projects but also strengthens the relationship between ISRO scientists and IIT Madras faculty.

ISRO-IIT Madras collaboration: New research centre for space thermal challenges

According to IIT Madras, the new Centre will become a key hub for ISRO’s thermal management research, particularly for spacecraft and launch vehicle applications. This collaboration aims to tackle thermal challenges related to the design, analysis, and testing of components, drawing on the expertise of IIT Madras faculty.
The proposal for this Centre of Excellence stems from the recognition of the need to generate foundational knowledge through advanced academic research to further India’s space ambitions. In 1985, ISRO and IIT Madras established the ‘ISRO-IIT M Space Technology Cell’ to support this vision.
On November 11, an MoU was signed at IIT Madras between Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research at IIT Madras, and Victor Joseph T, Director of the Directorate of Technology Development & Innovation (DTDI) at ISRO. The signing took place in the presence of Project Coordinator Prof. Arvind Pattamatta from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, along with other stakeholders from both IIT Madras and ISRO.
Professor Arvind Pattamatta from IIT Madras’ Department of Mechanical Engineering explained that the Centre of Excellence would foster a unique industry-academia interface, enabling collaboration between ISRO scientists and IIT Madras faculty and students. He emphasized that together, they would advance research in critical areas of thermal science and address complex engineering challenges. The goal, he added, is to contribute significantly to India’s space program and enhance the country’s self-reliance in space technologies.

Major features of the IIT Madras and ISRO collaboration

Thermal management research hub

The Centre will act as a critical research hub for ISRO, dedicated to tackling thermal management challenges related to spacecraft and launch vehicles. Leveraging the expertise of IIT Madras faculty, this facility aims to address thermal issues in design, analysis, and testing.

Funding for infrastructure and future projects

ISRO’s initial seed funding of Rs 1.84 crore will provide essential infrastructure and equipment. Additional funding is also planned to support consumables, maintenance, and upcoming projects in fluid-thermal sciences, positioning the Centre as a long-term asset for both academic and industry research.

Advanced research projects

Key research initiatives will include spacecraft thermal management, managing combustion instability in hybrid rockets, and the thermodynamics of cryogenic tanks. These projects will directly contribute to advancements in space technology, especially in areas critical to ISRO’s upcoming missions.

Strengthened industry-academia collaboration

The Centre will foster stronger collaboration between ISRO scientists and IIT Madras faculty, creating a platform for innovation in fluid and thermal sciences. This partnership is expected to bring significant developments in space research and technology.
Also Read | What is the Pinaka? India’s multi-barrel rocket system gains global attention