At the intersection of curiosity and opportunity lies the SITARON Mein Safar Lecture Series at IIT Bombay - a unique platform bridging the knowledge gap between academic enthusiasm about space technology and India's rapidly expanding space industry. This series brings pioneers from Government space agencies and India's burgeoning space startups directly to students, offering firsthand insights into the technical realities, career pathways, and innovative frontiers of space technology in India.
Each session features experts sharing their professional journeys, technical expertise, and visions for India's space future, followed by interactive discussions where students can explore their questions directly with industry leaders. SITARON Mein Safar serves as the essential connection point between classroom learning and practical application, preparing the next generation of innovators to contribute meaningfully to India's ambitious space ecosystem.
Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025
Time: 5 – 6 pm, followed by interaction session
Venue: Physics Seminar Room (Room 202, 2nd floor, Physics Department)
Tanveer Ahmed is the co-founder and CTO of Digantara. He spearheads design and development of core Space Situational Awareness capabilities. He started off with a passion similar to many of you: developing payloads for his university satellite team. Digantara is a space surveillance and intelligence company focused on space domain awareness, aiming to enhance safety in space operations through accurate tracking and monitoring of orbital objects. They have developed the world's first commercial space surveillance satellite, capable of tracking small objects in orbit. They are developing an end-to-end infrastructure to address the difficulties of space operations and space traffic management through its pioneering Space - Mission Assurance Platform a.k.a. Space - MAP, which in their words will be as sophisticated and powerful as Google Maps!
Date: Monday, 19 May, 2025
Time: 5 – 6 pm, followed by interaction session
Venue: Physics Seminar Room (Room 202, 2nd floor, Physics Department)
Prof. Arindrajit Chowdhury is the co-founder and CEO of InspeCity. As a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Bombay, his research spans combustion science, propulsion systems, and optical diagnostics. InspeCity, a pioneering space-tech startup aiming to extend satellite lifespans and build sustainable orbital infrastructure. InspeCity develops autonomous robotic platforms for satellite servicing and envisions future space-based ecosystems. Prof. Chowdhury’s dual roles reflect his commitment to advancing both terrestrial and extraterrestrial engineering frontiers. Under his leadership, InspeCity has been growing leaps and bounds.
Date: Monday, 7 April, 2025
Time: 5 – 6 pm, followed by interaction session
Venue: Physics Seminar Room (Room 202, 2nd floor, Physics Department)
Tushar Jadhav is the Co-founder and CEO of Manastu Space, a pioneering Indian space tech startup focused on developing green propulsion technologies for satellites. An alumnus of IIT Bombay with a background in Aerospace Engineering, Jadhav has led his company to develop innovative hydrogen peroxide-based green propulsion systems that offer safer, non-toxic alternatives to conventional hydrazine propellants. Under his leadership, Manastu has secured significant funding and partnerships with ISRO and international space agencies. Prior to founding Manastu Space, Jadhav was a part of the IITB Student Satellite Program, followed by a stint at DRDO. His vision of making space operations more sustainable through environmentally friendly propulsion technology has positioned Manastu as one of India's most promising space startups in the growing NewSpace ecosystem.