IIT Madras, ISRO Launches Fluid And Thermal Science Research Centre

ISRO : ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan on Monday inaugurated the ‘Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research’ at IIT Madras. This state-of-the-art facility, named after distinguished IIT Madras alumnus and aerospace engineer S. Ramakrishnan, aims to bolster India’s space technology self-reliance and attract global talent.

The centre, housed within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will focus on critical advancements in spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management. This research is crucial for India’s expanding space ambitions, including lunar, Mars, and deep-space missions, the IIT said in a press release.

The centre will serve as a hub for research in heat transfer, cooling systems, and fluid dynamics, with ISRO scientists collaborating with IIT Madras faculty and researchers. Key focus areas include spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management, development of efficient cooling systems, high-fidelity simulation and testing, and capacity building, the institute added.

Dr. Narayanan emphasised India’s strides in cryogenic engine technology, highlighting the nation’s achievement of three world records in this domain. “The Cryogenic Engine technology was denied to India but today, we have three different such engines with the third one being human-rated. Only six countries in the world have this technology. We have made three world records in this technology – We got it right in our third attempt. Second, From the engine test to flight, we got it done in 28 months. Other countries took between 42 months and 18 years. and finally, we conducted the test in 34 Days which no other country had done as they took around 5 to 6 months,” Dr Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO said.

IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti expressed confidence in the center’s ability to develop effective solutions for the growing thermal and cooling demands of space exploration. “More and more we explore the space, we have an increasing need for technologies that could handle thermal and cooling requirements. I am sure the proposed Centre jointly with ISRO shall develop very effective solutions for the same,” he said.

Prof Arvind Pattamatta, the centre’s coordinator, outlined the expected outcomes. In the next three to five years, the centre aims to achieve breakthroughs in advanced thermal management techniques and next-generation heat pipes for long-duration space missions. In the long term, the research is expected to revolutionize spacecraft design, enhance India’s deep space exploration capabilities, and boost indigenous space technology, he said.

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