Aiming to drive global discussions on sustainable space technologies, planetary exploration, and academia-industry collaborations, a two-day International Conference on ‘Space for Sustainability: Science, Technology, Education, and Policy’ (S²-STEP2025) alongside the 6th Indian Planetary Science Conference (IPSC-2025) organized by the Centre for Space Science and Technology (CSST), Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) began on March 4 and will continue the next day.
As the world grapples with profound global challenges, the intersection of space exploration, science education, policy formulation, and technological innovation stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable societal development. S²-STEP2025 serves as a dynamic platform to explore the transformative potential of space technologies in shaping a resilient and equitable future. The conference Running concurrently, the 6th Indian Planetary Science Conference (IPSC-2025) serves as a dedicated forum for recent advances in planetary science, covering topics such as the atmosphere, surface, and interior of planetary bodies in the solar system, planetary processes, and early solar system evolution.
The conference brings together experts, researchers, policymakers, and educators to deliberate on the symbiotic relationship between space exploration, science education, policy formulation, and cutting-edge technological advancements. And was inaugurated by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space (DoS), as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Young Ho Kim, Director, India Korea Center for Research and Innovation (IKCRI), as the Guest of Honour. Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, presided over the plenary.
In his keynote address, Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space (DoS) emphasized, “The future of space exploration hinges on sustainable and responsible practices. India is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that will drive our planetary missions and deep-space explorations.”
Dr. Young Ho Kim, Director, India Korea Center for Research and Innovation (IKCRI) speaking at the conference highlighted the role of international cooperation, stating, “Collaborative research in space science and technology is the key to ensuring sustainability. The India-Korea partnership can significantly contribute to global space exploration efforts. He further emphasised on the Advancements in Aerospace Technology and Policy: Strengthening India-Korea S&T Cooperation. “
Welcoming the dignitaries, Prof. Sanjay Upadhyay, Head, CSST & Conference Chair, said, “This conference serves as a platform to bring together experts from diverse fields to shape the future of space sustainability.”
The conference is holding discussions on building a robust space education ecosystem. Making aware stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the emerging opportunities and challenges in the rapidly expanding space sector and the societal benefits of space-based technologies and services, the deliberations on the latest advances in space sciences, particularly their applications in disaster mitigation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development are also part of the event.
A key focus will be on evaluating technological advancements in launch vehicles, satellites, and related infrastructure, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and innovation in space-based services.
Additionally, the conference will drive policy discussions at national and international levels, shaping the future of space governance and sustainability frameworks. Finally, experts will explore planets, moons, and asteroids for their potential future habitability and resource utilization, ensuring that space missions and planetary studies are conducted with sustainability at their core.
Delivering the presidential address, Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, remarked, “At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to advancing research in space technology, planetary sciences, and sustainable development. This conference is a step toward fostering innovation and capacity building in these domains.”
The session also featured insights from Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director, IIT Roorkee, and Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, IN-SPACe, who emphasized the crucial role of academia-industry collaboration in strengthening India’s space sector.
On March 5, 2025, the conference will feature an Interactive Open Session on ‘Indian Space Startups and Industry’, organized in collaboration with IN-SPACe.
- The session will be addressed by Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, IN-SPACe, who will highlight the evolving startup ecosystem in India’s space sector.
- Dr. Durgesh Pant, Director General, Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST), will discuss support of Uttarakhand government for innovation and entrepreneurship in space technology.
- Other distinguished speakers include Mr. Prateek Jain, IAS, Managing Director, SIIDCUL who gave an overview of Uttarakhand Indstries and possibility of Space domain development in the State and Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Director, Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) who gave glimpse of Space Education in India as perceived at Indian Institute of Space TEchnology.
The conference will continue with technical sessions, keynote lectures, and panel discussions on critical topics such as planetary missions, AI in space, and sustainability in the space industry.
