By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 4: A group of 100 students from Meghalaya and seven other Northeastern states recently visited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Centre in Bengaluru.
The visit was part of the North East Students’ Programme for Awareness, Reach and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS), funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC).
The programme offered the students a unique opportunity to witness India’s advancements in space technology and research.
Over the course of the two-day visit, the students explored key ISRO facilities. On the first day, they visited the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC). Similarly, on the second day, they toured the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), including a comprehensive visit to the ISRO Satellite Integration and Test Establishment (ISITE).
The students also watched exclusive footage of the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission and explored a detailed space exhibition featuring satellite systems, scaled satellite models and informative displays on satellite technologies.
The immersive experience significantly broadened their understanding of space science and ignited interest in pursuing careers in astronomy, space research, and related Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
It may be mentioned that this visit is part of a larger initiative under which 800 talented science students, 100 from each of the eight Northeastern states, will be given the opportunity to visit ISRO. So far, two such visits have been organised, including this one.
The programme is designed to inspire young minds by offering first-hand exposure to cutting-edge space technologies and enabling them to interact with ISRO scientists and engineers through guided tours and knowledge sessions.
“Going forward, future batches will be organised in close coordination with state governments and educational institutions to ensure broader outreach and deeper impact across the region,” the NEC said in a statement.