The Fact Maker

BV Raju Institute of Technology inaugurates Vishnu Space Engineering Center built in collaboration with Dhruva Space

BV Raju Institute of Technology (Faculty of ECE) has taken a leap forward in building an ecosystem for Space Technology education in collaboration with Dhruva Space to mark the centennial remembrance of founder Chairman Padma Bhushan Dr. B.V. Raju. This Space center was inaugurated on 22nd November 2021 by Outstanding Scientist Dr. PSR Srinivasa Sastry (Director, Directorate of Special Projects, DRDO Hyderabad) in the presence of Shri. KV Vishnu Raju, (Honorable Chairman of Sri Vishnu Educational Society) and Shri. Sanjay Nekkanti (CEO of Dhruva Space). The dignitaries who graced the occasion included Mr. Ravichandran Rajagopal (Vice Chairman, Sri Vishnu Educational Society), Dr. Ramesh Alluri, (Principal, VIPER) and Dr. Lakshmi Prasad (Principal, B V Raju Institute of Technology).

This space center has been established as a fully functional ground station for satellite communication in the amateur bands by Dhruva Space for research and development. Dhruva Space is a full stack space engineering company, has been working towards building initiatives for Space Technology education at academic institutions. The goal is to enable a holistic approach for inculcating industry readiness in the pedagogy.

BVRIT is one of such premier institutions has also made an Anechoic chamber, a rigorous testing facility for different wireless modules like RF antennas, GSM, and RF filters in a noise free environment or zero reflection zone which is a unique to BVRIT across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in an academic institution.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. P.S.R. Srinivasa Sastry stressed about the significance of improving the right skill set for the professional growth of students in bridging the industry-academia gap in the Aerospace and Defense sector.

Speaking at the occasion Shri. K.V. Vishnu Raju said, “The new setup is going to explore opportunities for academic exchange and collaboration between both parties in finding the cutting-edge technological solutions in the areas of low earth orbits and beyond for space exploration”.

The views expressed by the investors of Dhruva Space – Padmaja Ruparel (Founding Partner, IAN Fund) for the need to fundamentally redesign the way satellites are manufactured, launched and operated; along with the opinion of Satya Bansal (Founder, Blue Ashva Capital) of India being a hub for Space Technology business with emerging global leaders shows a promising future for upcoming space entrepreneurs as well. As cited by Nandini Mansinghka (Co-Promoter and CEO, Mumbai Angels),  “They invested in Dhruva Space in both the rounds being induced by the overwhelming response from the space industry for such private players.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Nekkanti, Co-Founder of Dhruva Space said “Opening up of the space sector to private entities in the decade when over 20,000 satellites are expected to be launched brings along with it a demand for seasoned academics, researchers and professionals in the sector. A successful space technology organization requires expertise from all streams of sciences. My experience and motivation to start Dhruva Space came way back in my university days when I was a part of the team that launched the first private nanosatellite from SRM University. Our vision is to empower the academic institutions such that the students of today, shape the space technology future of tomorrow”.