A private school in Kolkata is launching its own nanosatellite to educate its students in space science. The MP Birla Organization institution, South Point High School, has chosen to rename its satellite PriyamvadaSat in honour of Priyamvada Birla, the previous leader of the business group. The school and the Indian Technology Congress Association (ITCA) have inked a contract for the launch. The project, which is being overseen by ISRO, is a part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” to celebrate 75 years of Indian Independence. According to Krishna Damani, the vice-chairman of the school’s management committee, students in classes 11 and 12 would be involved in the initiative, which is anticipated to get going in nine months.
According to him, South Point is one of just two schools in the nation and the only one in eastern India to take on this project. In order to develop an innovation culture and expose the next generation of students to the rapidly increasing space industry and related industries, it would ensure a higher emphasis on science-based education and experience-based learning, he told PTI.
PriyamvadaSat’s design, development, integration, qualification, testing, and launch into low-Earth orbit are all included in the contract with ITCA (LEO). As part of the mission, the operational satellite will be sent into low-Earth orbit, and a campus replica of it will be used as a classroom model. According to Damani, “Our youngsters will receive training and take part in the development and construction of the satellite, which will be launched by ISRO from Sriharikota.” On the school’s grounds, a ground station/space lab will be built up so that students may keep an eye on PriyamvadaSat and collect the data it sends.
According to the official, a group of students and faculty members will undergo intensive training from ITCA so they can participate when the satellite is being conceptualised and developed. “This is really important because it will provide kids first-hand experience with coding and space science. Dual course certification will be given to successful students “said he.
