Ex-ISRO head opens Youth Space Conference
The Youth Space Conference 2025 (YSC-2025) kicked off today at the CSIO, Chandigarh, marking a significant step in fostering global space education and innovation. Dr Prakasha Rao PJVKS, former ISRO Director and scientist, delivered an inspiring keynote while opening it, highlighting the future of human space exploration and the need for inter-disciplinary collaboration.
Rao emphasised on the growing interest in space, especially after Chandrayaan-2’s success. He shared, “Indian youth’s enthusiasm for space exploration has surged. I have interacted with school students as young as sixth and eighth graders, who ask intriguing questions about space missions. Many aspire to join the space sector, and it is crucial to inspire more young minds. Regardless of their fields, they can contribute to space innovation.”
He stressed on the patience, risk and dedication required in space R&D, explaining, “Unlike mass-produced innovations like smartphones or cars, rockets take 10-15 years to develop, with real-time technical failures revealed only at launch. Space systems must be flawless because failures in orbit are non-repairable. To achieve this, students must develop a scientific mindset from an early age.” He praised the new education system, which integrates practical learning, coding and robotics — subjects rarely taught in middle schools in the past.
