Career in Space Technology
Gone are those days when students were highly influenced by the creamy layer of career options, say doctors and engineers, and began chasing them ever since they cleared their 10th class examinations. The modern lifestyle and advanced technologies has given way for myriad alternatives to pursue a career in. One among them is space science. If the new discoveries about the solar system or studying satellites and their connection with the Earth have urged that dream within you, then it’s time that you fulfill it and make your country proud.
Whether it is disaster management, weather forecasting, satellite navigation, or global communications, the space industry has plenty to offer. Space technology, or space science, is a broad term in itself, which includes astronomy and astrophysics, prametary atmospheres and aeronomy, earth sciences, and solar system studies.
Initially, these four disciplines were broadly classified under astronomy, but the recent boom has led to the categorization of space science into numerous sub – branches, some of them being cosmology, stellar science, planetary science, astronomy, astrology, and so on.
This branch of science, or engineering, revolves around studying the Universe, excluding the Earth and outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Ever since India launched its satellite Rohini – 1 from Sriharikota Island, space exploration and technology has continued to bring great honor and respect to the country. Help your nation touch new heights and achieve high – flying success by making a flourishing career in space science.
Space Technology Courses
To make a career in space science, space applications, or space technology, an expertise of science subjects Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics is a must. These subjects can be pursued at Bachelor’s programs after completing 10+2 level from science stream.
Graduate courses can also be taken up in relevant disciplines of space technology / space science offered by Indian Space Research Organization ( ISRO ) and other institutions, such as 4 – year B.Tech program or 3-year B.Sc course. On obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, one can seek admission in post graduation course in space science and technology and other space related fields. To become an expert in any specialized field, pursuing a PhD degree is compulsory. In fact, most professionals working in space science are PhD holders.
Space Technology Career Prospects
Space science provides employment opportunities in a diverse number of fields. It is not just limited to mapping a distant planet or discovering something new and unique about the solar system. Depending upon an individual’s qualifications and skills, one can explore job prospects in ISRO, Defense Research and Development Organization ( DRDO ), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL ), National Aeronautical Laboratories ( NAL ), and aerospace industry.
As a space scientist, one can be employed as faculty in universities or sit on academic committees, publish papers, guide research students, write proposals, and referee papers for publication. Astronomers and astrophysicists can be absorbed by government / national observatories, space research agencies, science museums, and planetariums.
Further, they can even find work in designing and manufacturing telescopes, writing software, and performing several tasks at ground-based observatories and space laboratories. Space scientists can try their hands at technical writing as well. Some other employment areas include simulation centers, space tourism operators, spacecraft manufacturing firms, military operations, R&D centers, spacecraft software developing firms, and repair and maintenance workshops.
Institutes Offering Space Technology Courses
India is one of the leading countries with various achievements made in space technology. There are a number of universities, research organizations and institutions that are actively involved in making continuous research and development in space science. Kerala, in particular, is a major educational hub in this field.
The prestigious institutions are : Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology ( IIST ), Thiruvananthapuram; Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi; Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; and Indian Institute of Technology ( IIT ) at Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, and Kanpur.
Space Technology Salary
The salary in space technology largely depends upon the academic qualification, institute from which the degree is obtained, and the nature of work. Budding space scientists can earn anywhere between 200,000 and 250,000 annually. Once an individual gains the right experience and acquires the requisite knowledge, there is no upper limit of remuneration for the right candidate.