ISRO expands student outreach during World Space Week 2026

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is using World Space Week 2026 to expand space science and technology outreach among students, with educational programmes planned across Kerala and a separate two-day space science outreach programme recently held in Port Blair.

World Space Week is being observed globally from Oct 4 to 10 this year under the theme “Rocket Revolution”, which focuses on the evolution of launch systems and how technologies such as reusable launch vehicles, lower launch costs and higher launch frequency could expand access to space.

Four ISRO-linked institutions organise programmes in Kerala

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) and Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) are jointly organising the World Space Week 2026 celebrations in Kerala.

According to the official VSSC programme, the initiative is aimed at creating awareness about space science and technology among students and the general public. The programme includes interactive lectures for school students, a student video activity and a public outreach event in Thiruvananthapuram.

As part of the school outreach programme, scientists from VSSC, LPSC, IISU and IIST are delivering interactive lectures on space technology to students across Kerala. Sessions are being offered in both on-campus and online formats between Oct 4 and 10, with the mode decided by ISRO.

Another student activity, titled “Your SPACE”, invites schools to present their ideas on “Space Technology for Sustainable local development” through video presentations. The official programme permits one entry from each participating school.

Public outreach event scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram

The Kerala celebrations will culminate in a public outreach programme on Oct 10 at the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum in Thiruvananthapuram.

The event, jointly organised by VSSC, LPSC, IISU and IIST in association with the museum, will run from 10 am to noon. It will include a public lecture by ISRO on the World Space Week theme, followed by interaction between ISRO experts and members of the audience.

The discussions are expected to cover India’s space programme, recent developments in space science and technology, and the future of space exploration. The event is open to students, teachers, science enthusiasts and members of the public.

IIST gives students exposure to space-sector careers

IIST has also conducted a World Space Week activity focused on giving students direct exposure to education and research in the space sector.

On Oct 1, the institute hosted a Science and Technology Exposure Visit for students and volunteers from the Galileo Science Club in Tamil Nadu. A total of 169 participants attended the programme.

The students visited research laboratories and interacted with IIST faculty members and research scholars. They were also briefed about academic programmes, admission opportunities, careers in the space sector and the institute’s research environment.

The programme gave students an opportunity to see how space science and aerospace engineering are connected to research, technology development and higher education.

ISRO conducts space science outreach in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The outreach effort has also extended beyond Kerala. ISRO and the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) conducted a two-day space science outreach programme in Port Blair on Oct 6 and 7.

The programme drew more than 200 participants, including 180 undergraduate and postgraduate students and around 20 faculty members from academic institutions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Sessions covered the Indian space science exploration programme, solar physics, geomagnetism and space weather, comparative planetology, exoplanets and astrobiology. The programme also included interaction sessions between students and experts and a space exhibition.

The Port Blair programme was conducted under an ISRO-IIG memorandum of understanding signed in September 2024 to combine the resources of the two institutions for space science outreach across the country.

Why “Rocket Revolution” is the focus in 2026

The 2026 World Space Week theme highlights changes in the way spacecraft are launched and the growing effort to make access to space more frequent and affordable.

The VSSC programme specifically identifies reusable launch vehicles, lower launch costs, increased launch frequency and greater participation by commercial and academic organisations as areas connected to this year’s theme.

For students, the theme also provides a way to connect developments in launch technology with opportunities in space science, engineering, research and related careers.

World Space Week itself was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1999 and is observed annually from Oct 4 to 10 to highlight the contribution of space science and technology and encourage education and public engagement in the field.