In March 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan inaugurated the ‘Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Fluid and Thermal Science Research’ at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).
- This centre supports the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by promoting self-reliance in advanced space technologies and attracting global talent and research funding.
About the Centre:
i.The centre is named after Sundaram Ramakrishnan, former Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), ISRO.
- He was the Project Director for Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-III.
- He was awarded the ‘Padma Shri’ in 2003 in the field of Science and Engineering for his exceptional work in aerospace engineering.
ii.This new research centre is housed at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and will focus on critical advancements in spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management including heat transfer, cooling systems, and fluid dynamics, crucial for the development of next-generation spacecraft and satellite technologies.
Additional Developments:
Along with the new research centre, the ‘Arcot Ramachandran Seminar Hall’ was also inaugurated at IIT Madras by Professor Kamakoti.
- The seminar hall was named after Prof. Arcot Ramachandran, the former IIT Madras director to honors his role in establishing the ‘Heat Transfer and Thermal Power Laboratory’.
Hyperloop Track in Asia Developed by IIT Madras:
i.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR) announced development of the longest hyperloop test track at the IIT Madras, Thaiyur Campus in Chennai. The Hyperloop features the world’s longest student-run hyperloop infrastructure.
- The 410-meter (m) Asia’s longest tube, developed by IIT Madras researchers was built in collaboration with the MoR.
ii.The electronics technology for the system was developed at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
iii.Hyperloop: A revolutionary transportation system concept, 1st ideated by Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk in 2013, involves moving pods, vehicles designed for transportation through a near-vacuum tube at speeds exceeding 1000 kilometers per hour (kmph).
Note: India becomes one of the first countries to develop a long-distance hyperloop system.
