How India can create skilled workforce for booming space industry and what is scope for students? Find out

India is home to the world’s sixth-largest national space agency and currently accounts for the 2 per cent share in the global space economy. While the government aims to hold at least 9 per cent of the global industry by 2030, studies suggest that India has the potential to claim a much bigger chunk. With over 380 foreign satellite launches for nearly 34 countries, and successful groundbreaking missions like Chandrayaan-3, the Indian space industry has over the years been witnessing massive public as well as private participation. The latest study by Arthur D Little consultancy suggests that to bolster its position further, India should at present encourage widespread adoption of satellite internet services while capitalizing on the existing strength of launch vehicles and satellite manufacturing. 

According to Prof Supriya Pattanayak - an academician - students must have specialised knowledge of various domains pertaining to the industry along with required skills to dominate the space industry.

“Skill integration in education is sacrosanct to strengthen India to dominate the booming space industry. For instance, at CUTM we make sure that the students have specialized and sound knowledge of different facets of the industry, such as propulsion systems, missiles, satellites, thermodynamics, control system, celestial mechanics, along with a vast understanding of aerodynamics, materials, software, structures, vehicle dynamics etc. An innovative mind that can develop advanced technologies and integrate them into defence applications, as well as aerospace vehicle systems, sets the aptitude required for being a part of this dynamic industry,” she said. 

The educationist further informed that students opting for Aerospace Engineering have a bright career prospect as they can expect to work in diverse domains such as Aerospace Designer Checker, Mechanical Design Engineer, Aircraft Production Manager, Aerospace Engineer and Assistant Technical Officer. Notably, The Civil Aviation Department, National Aeronautical Laboratory Defence, National Aeronautical Lab, HAL, ISRO, and even NASA regularly recruit Aerospace engineers, alongside private sector companies. An Aerospace Engineering graduate can expect to earn Rs 4-7 lakh per month or year while mid-level engineers earn between Rs 8-15 lakh. Senior aerospace engineers who have specialised in their chosen field can expect to be paid up to Rs 20 lakh.

"Universities should offer students specially designed courses where regular projects in live industry environments are undertaken throughout the course to ensure that students have hands-on learning of concepts. The students need to be prepared for Industry 4.0" added Pattanayak, who is the Vice Chancellor of Odisha's Centurion University of Technology and Management, a Center for Excellence as per the Ministry of Skill Development, which produces missile components for DRDO and HAL, and houses 20+ on-campus manufacturing setups in collaboration with industry players such as Dassault.

Your aptitude and attitude certainly make a significant impact on a career in the Aerospace Industry, which encompasses different avenues like designing, developing and maintaining aircraft, missiles, planes, spacecraft and also satellites. An average 50 per cent in Physics, Chemistry and Maths is the eligibility score for the engineering entrance exams like Joint Entrance Exams (JEE) and state-level exams. Clearing it with a good rank will enable the students to choose a B Tech course in Aerospace Engineering, or related fields like aeronautical engineering and mechanical engineering. It does not end here as one can further pursue higher education like MTech and PhD in the relevant field, making the student an expert in their chosen field.