100 Students from Northeast Visit ISRO Centres Under NE-SPARKS Programme

Bengaluru: A group of 100 students from all eight northeastern states embarked on a unique educational journey to key ISRO centres in Bengaluru, as part of the North East Students' Programme for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS). The initiative is supported by the North Eastern Council to foster scientific curiosity and inspire youth toward careers in space science and technology.

On the first day, students visited the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), where they got a glimpse into real-time mission control systems and satellite tracking operations. The second day included tours of the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) and the Satellite Integration and Test Establishment (ISITE), offering them a rare behind-the-scenes look at how satellites are designed, integrated, and prepared for launch.

A major highlight of the visit was an exclusive viewing of visuals from India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission. Students also explored a detailed space exhibition featuring scaled satellite models and displays explaining ISRO’s advanced space systems and technologies.

This was the second such exposure visit under the NE-SPARKS initiative, which aims to benefit a total of 800 students—100 from each northeastern state. ISRO officials actively engaged with the students through guided tours and interactive Q&A sessions, sharing insights into India's space journey and technological innovations.

Organisers noted that the initiative is designed to cultivate scientific temper and encourage northeastern students to pursue higher education and careers in STEM, particularly in aerospace engineering and research. Future student visits will be coordinated with state governments and educational institutions to broaden participation and deepen the programme’s impact.