Tata Steel brings first ever ISRO exhibition to Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Celebrating the 10th year of Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS), Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium (PSP) has brought the much acclaimed Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the first time to Odisha.

The week-long exhibition was inaugurated on Sunday at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar by Kailash Chandra Sahoo, Director Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar and Arun Misra, Vice President, Project Gopalpur and Managing Director, Tata Steel SEZ.

The exhibition will be on display from 10 am to 5 pm from December 13 to December 17.

The mobile exhibition presented by Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition (VSSE), Ahmedabad, is having a set of about 20 static panels related to Remote Sensing Satellites and Communication Satellite and their applications.

Chandrayaan/ Mars mission, models of camera of Mars Mission, satellite images; scale down models of launch vehicles like PSLV & GSLV, various satellite models of INSAT and IRS, OCM, Aryabhatta, RISAT, etc. and a working model showing satellites orbiting around earth are on display.

While mechanical component parts used in satellites are on the display, there are various video documentaries on launching the Mars Mission. For students of higher classes there is also a video display on how to join ISRO. ISRO’s Geo portal-BHUVAN website will be demonstrated during the exhibition as well.

A team of senior scientists and engineers from the Space Applications Center, Ahmedabad, are also present in the exhibition to interact with the students.

Speaking about the exhibition, Arun Misra said, “Bringing in the ISRO exhibition is a momentous occasion to mark the 10th edition of YATS. The aim of this exhibition is to develop scientific temper amongst the students and researchers and to make common man aware of the contributions of ISRO initiatives in our daily lives. The children visiting the exhibition should also feel encouraged and pursue higher studies in space science.”

During the inauguration ceremony, Kailash Chandra Sahoo said, “We are proud to host ISRO’s first ever exhibition in the state. This will help to develop scientific temper among students. I look forward to many footfalls from curious youngsters and astronomy enthusiasts over the next one week.”

In a fitting conclusion to the 10th edition of YATS, this initiative is expected to provide valuable real-world exposure to the world of astronomy and space science. The 10th edition of YATS has witnessed active participation of nearly 34,000 students from over 300 schools, spread over 27 districts of Odisha.