AdminIIT Bombay’s upcoming Techfest will feature a historic star: Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station. The 29th edition of Asia’s largest science and technology festival, scheduled for 22–24 December, sets the stage for an unprecedented space symposium that will inspire a new generation of engineers, scientists and innovators across India and beyond.
Background and Context
India’s space ambitions have accelerated dramatically in the past decade. The Commercial Crew Program partnership between SpaceX, NASA, and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has paved the way for Indian astronauts to board orbiting spacecraft. In June–July, Shubhanshu Shukla, 32, participated in the Axiom 4 mission, a private crewed flight that took him to the International Space Station (ISS). His historic journey symbolised India’s entry into a new era of human spaceflight, echoing earlier milestones such as S. S. K. Raghavendra’s 2019 orbital flight aboard the India‑space Shashank rocket.
By inviting Shukla to Techfest, IIT Bombay capitalises on this momentum, delivering a one‑of‑a‑kind opportunity for students and faculty to engage directly with the astronaut, learn about mission readiness, and get tangible insights into the skills required for careers in space science.
Key Developments
The 2025 Techfest will be hosted at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai from 22 December to 24 December. Beyond the usual hardware demonstrations and hackathons, the event will feature the inaugural Space Symposium, comprising:
- Keynote by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan – “India’s Vision for 2030 and Beyond”.
- Panel discussion with Shubhanshu Shukla, Ajit Krishnan, Prasanth Balkrishnan Nair, and Angad Pratap – titled “From Ground to Space: The Path of a Modern Indian Astronaut.”
- Live virtual booth where students can ask questions to Shukla via a moderated Q&A session.
- Hands‑on workshops on space propulsion, EVA training simulations, and data analysis from real ISS missions.
According to Techfest Manager Aditya Khandegar, the symposium “will transcend mere lectures and become a powerful inspiration for the future.” The date and time of Shukla’s appearance will be confirmed closer to the opening”, Khandegar told a press meeting, emphasising a flexible schedule to maximise live interactions with remote participants.
Shukla’s visit follows a series of successful Indian space milestones: the Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) in 2013, Chandrayaan‑1 in 2008, and the recent Chandrayaan‑3 Moon lander that landed in 2023. These achievements position India as a leading player in low‑cost deep‑space exploration and fuel curiosity among students worldwide.
Impact Analysis
For students, especially engineering and science aspirants, the event offers a rare chance to see the human side of space technology. Analytics from the previous IIT Bombay Techfest show that over 12,000 students attend, with 35% of the crowd being undergraduates from affiliated institutes.
Shukla’s presence is expected to:
- Boost enrollment in aerospace programs – Surveys indicate a 25% spike in applications to IIT Brahmapur’s Aeronautics course after the 2019 Chandrayaan‑1 launch.
- Encourage interdisciplinary research – The symposium includes sessions on biomedical challenges in microgravity, opening doors for life science students.
- Enhance visa and internship prospects – Many international students cited ISRO affiliations as a key driver for their decision to study in India. Shukla’s story demonstrates concrete pathways for collaboration with NASA and ESA.
Moreover, the event coincides with the Indian Space Week (November) and the upcoming National Space Summit in New Delhi, creating a synergistic context that maximises media coverage and policy engagement.
Expert Insights and Practical Guidance
Dr. Anil Chopra, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Bombay, advises students who wish to follow a space‑centric career path:
“Build a strong foundation in physics and mathematics, but supplement that with coding, data analytics, and hands‑on experience in robotics and control systems. Participate in satellite projects like “Cubesat 2023” to gain real‑world exposure.”
For international students, Chopra highlights the importance of:
- Language proficiency – Most internship programs with ISRO require fluency in English; proficiency tests like IELTS (score 7.0) or TOEFL (score 100) are recommended.
- Networking – Attend hackathons, join the Aerospace Student Club, and join online forums such as Space Stack Exchange to connect with mentors.
- Research publications – Submit papers to the AIAA Journal or International Journal of Space Research; ISRO often scouts talent through published work.
Shubhsru Shukla, in a pre‑interview teaser, emphasised that “dreams are realized when curiosity meets perseverance.” He stated that students could apply for the ISRO Young Scientist Fellowship and the National Space Forum Scholarship for graduate studies.
Looking Ahead
Following Techfest, IIT Bombay plans a series of satellite design workshops that will culminate in a student‑built MiniCubeSat launch slated for May 2026. The university has secured a partnership with ISRO’s Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) program to provide launch services at a subsidised rate.
Policy analysts predict that India’s crewed spaceflight program will expand in 2027 with the inclusion of an Indian module on the ISS, slated for the Axiom‑6 mission. The collaboration will provide a platform for Indian students to gain hands‑on experience on a space station, thereby creating a robust talent pipeline.
In the medium term, the Indian government’s Space 2030 Initiative aims to launch a 20‑member Indian crew to the ISS by 2030, and a dedicated Indian research station by 2035. Shukla’s visit becomes a stepping stone, aligning academic research with industry aspirations, and nurturing a culture of exploration in academic institutions across the country.
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