AI Department Students and teachers from VJIT and Anurag University in Hyderabad have set out on a mission to launch the ANURAGsat Satellite this year. Dr. Mayilsamy Annadurai, former Director of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Principal facility for Satellite Design and development, is overseeing the project’s technical aspects. WION spoke to Dr. Annadurai about the daunting task that lay ahead.

Over 200 students will use hands-on experience to design, build, integrate, test, launch, and monitor the satellite under the supervision of teachers and worldwide space tech businesses. With the support of the Indian Space Research Organization, the satellite will be launched into Earth’s orbit (ISRO).

Anurag University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Technology Congress Association on February 2, 2022, for the purpose of designing and developing the satellite. The Indian Technology Congress Association will extend its expertise to students and faculty of VJIT and Anurag University.

The satellite will be launched as part of the ’75 Students’ Satellites Mission 2022,’ a Union Government Project commemorating the country’s 75th Anniversary of Independence. The goal of Mission 2022 is to launch 75 student-built satellites into orbit, with a greater emphasis on academia setting the groundwork for science-based teaching and hands-on learning.

The VJIT and Anurag University want to instruct their student community in space technology with the launch of the satellite. A specialised lab would be set up on the VJIT and Anurag university campuses to design and develop the proposed satellite.

The goal of launching the satellite is to expose students to space technology and provide them with appropriate training. The satellite was developed and launched with the help of 200 students and 30 academic members from several departments. Faculty members are pursuing certification in Space Technology and also will serve as mentors to the students. This satellite will be carried by an ISRO spacecraft, with a probable launch date of August this year.

In regards with conceptualizing, design, development and launch and tracking of ANURAGsat,  examination has been conducted for selection of students for Satellite Project on 14^th March 2022.The required material to prepare for the examination has already been provided to students.

From the Department of AI around 80 students have been registered and given the examination. 11 members are qualified and are selected to work on the PAYLOAD and MISSION MANAGEMENT Subsystems of the ANURAGsat.