Dr. S. S. Verma
Space Science is one of the most exciting career options that are adored by most of the new generation students in India and abroad. It has many scopes to build a successful career and can help one to get designated as an engineer or scientist in various departments of astronomical and space science. The new generation youths always crave forward to go after a career full of glamour and adventure. One such career that can be said to have both these aspects is that of the career in space science.
Studying apace science
Space technology, or space science, is a broad term in itself, which includes astronomy and astrophysics, parametary atmospheres and aeronomy, earth sciences, and solar system studies. Initially, these four disciplines were broadly classified under astronomy, but the recent boom has led to the categorization of space science into numerous sub-branches, some of them being cosmology, stellar science, planetary science, astronomy, astrology, and so on. This branch of science, or engineering, revolves around studying the Universe, excluding the Earth and outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Space technology affects almost every part of our lives, be it weather forecasting, satellite TV, global communications or satellite navigation. A career in the space industry could include any of these areas and much more. Careers in space science may include working on a new satellite or developing technology to map a distant planet. You could be helping to make new discoveries about our solar system or using satellites to study pollution on Earth. You might be connecting the world’s most remote communities or helping in disaster management.
Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe, especially of the motions, positions, sizes, composition, and behavior of celestial objects. It is also the means by which latitudes and longitudes of places on the Earth’s surface are determined, allowing sea vessels to navigate. Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the study of the physical nature of stars, galaxies, and the universe. Astrobiology is about how life begins and evolves, and the possibility of its existence anywhere other than the Earth. Astrochemistry is the study of the chemical processes in space, especially those of organic molecules needed for life as we know it. A career as a space physicist would likely involve knowing about space weather, the operation of communication systems, and weather satellites. To become an astronaut, you will have to demonstrate a high level of fitness and the right mental attitude to spend long periods of time in space. Scientific and technical competence is essential, particularly in engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology or earth sciences. Many mission specialists also have a PhD. Being an astronaut is not an occupation to be treated lightly, or considered as a singular goal. Astronaut training in India is yet to begin, but the process is being put in place. When there is manned space flight in India, the first candidates could come from one of the armed forces, or they could be scientists from ISRO, etc.
Educational pathways
Because the opportunities are so varied, the qualifications needed to work in the space industry also vary considerably. It provides employment for people with a wide range of skills and qualifications, including electrical and mechanical engineering, IT and software systems, physics, mathematics, space science or aerospace engineering. Many of those working in space science have a PhD. If you have any intention of establishing yourself in the space industry, aim for plus two/equivalent with physics, chemistry and mathematics. If this is followed by physics major or physics honours degree, you can build a career in astrophysics or astronomy after MSc in Physics. Alternatively, you can opt for an integrated MSc in Physics at institutions like the IISER, NISER, Bhubaneswar, UM DAE CBS, Mumbai, National Institute of Technology, Surat, a few IITs, etc and follow it up with a PhD. Admission would be through competitive examinations. Graduates with the four-year (a) B. Tech Aerospace Engineering (b) B.Tech in Avionics or (c) B. Tech Physical at the Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (under Department of Space, Govt of India) at Thiruvananthapuram (www.iist.ac.in) and fulfilling minimum specified academic performance will be absorbed in the Indian Space Research Organisation (www.isro. gov.in). Postgraduate degree programmes in astronomy/astrophysics or space science are few and far between, though some universities offer astrophysics as a specialization in their postgraduate physics degree programmes. An engineering degree in any discipline would also provide the foundation for a PhD in Astronomy or Astrophysics.
Admission to PhD programmes would normally be through an entrance examination. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) (Department of Space, Government of India), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerla), is Asia’s first Space Institute and the first in the world to offer the complete range of undergraduate, post graduate, doctoral programmes with specific focus to space science, technology and applications. The minimum education qualification for joining bachelor programs in Space Science at IIST is + 2 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths.
The Institute has the unique mandate of encouraging and equipping brilliant youngsters from all parts of the country to take up a career as Scientist/Engineer in the Indian Space Research Organization. The candidates are short listed on the basis of the merit lists of IIT JEE examination. The admission is finally granted on the basis of personal counseling. The students who obtain 1st class are provided placements in ISRO as a Scientist or Engineer with a lucrative pay package.
Career prospects
Space scientists may work as faculty at universities, pursue independent research, publish papers, guide research students, teach classes, sit on academic committees, referee papers for publication, and write proposals to fund their research. Astronomers/astrophysicists work in government/national observatories, space research agencies, planetariums, science museums, and may also work in mass media and science communication. Other opportunities are in government and institutions such as Indian Space Research Organization and DRDO (Defense Research & Development Organization. Astronomers may be employed by organizations and companies to design and manufacture telescopes, write software, and do many other tasks in support of space laboratories/ missions, ground-based observatories and data processing and analysis. Along with an opportunity to uncover the mysteries of the universe and study interstellar bodies and phenomenon, astronomy or astrophysics teaches one observational, computational, mathematical and logical skills needed to analyze and solve complex problems.
It also teaches the ability to interpret, explain and effectively communicate complex scientific data. Employers in many fields, including medical physics, geophysics, oil and gas exploration, find these skills particularly attractive. Technical writing is also a possibility for space scientists. To build up a successful and prosperous career in space science one must first develop his personality and nourish his skills and abilities to be prepared for such a responsible career.
Prominent institutes with Course details
Here is a brief list of prominent institutes with different educational programmes towards career in space science and technology:
5yr. integrated M.Sc.: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram (www.iiser-admissions.in), UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CBS), Mumbai (cbs.ac.in), National Institute of Science Education & Research at Bhubaneswar (niser.ac.in), Integrated Science Education & Research Centre (ISERC), Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan (visva-bharati.ac.in), University of Hyderabad (www.uohyd.ernet.in), SVNIT, Surat (www.svnit.ac.in), Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (www.iitr.ac.in), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (www.iitk.ac.in), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (www.iitm.ac.in)
M.Tech./ME: Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi (www.bitmesra.ac.in), Manipal University, Manipal (www.manipal.edu) Ph.D.: Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, (aries.ernet.in/), Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore (www.iiap.res.in), Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune (www.iucaa.ernet.in/), National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune (www.ncra.tifr.res.in/), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad (www.prl.res.in), Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore (www.rri.res.in), Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc) (www.iisc.ernet.in), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (TIFR) (univ.tifr.res.in), S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata (www.bose.res.in).
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