ISRO Chairman S Somanath, on Thursday, underscored the pressing need for advanced cybersecurity tools as India’s space capabilities expand, while also reflecting on ISRO’s technological innovation journey.
During his keynote speech at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the SISA Cyber Nalanda, Somanath highlighted the importance of leadership, collaboration, and mentorship in shaping a world-class organization.
He discussed the increasing importance of cybersecurity, emphasizing that as ISRO ventures into new technological frontiers, the threat landscape has evolved. “As applications grow, so do the threats. The need for robust cybersecurity tools is clear,” he said, stressing that ISRO is keenly aware of the need to safeguard its data and assets, especially in critical areas like space and satellite operations. “While we are pleased with the progress, the situation demands vigilance,” he cautioned, referring to the high magnitude of emerging threats.
Somanath also spoke about ISRO’s in-house capabilities in software development, citing the success of tools like FEAST (Finite Element Analysis of Structures), which are now widely used across industries such as aerospace and architecture. “Most of our software for rockets, satellites, and structural design is self-developed,” he said, highlighting ISRO’s self-reliance in space technology.
He praised ISRO’s Collision Possibilities Analysis tool, which assesses the risk of satellite collisions, as “one of the best globally.” Additionally, Somanath emphasized ISRO’s commitment to frugality and cost-effectiveness.
Somanath also mentioned ISRO’s achievements in software development for space exploration, including the in-house creation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. “In just a year, we developed one of the best software programs used by ISRO, and we’re working to make it commercially available,” he added. He further elaborated on ISRO’s research into areas such as thermal design, orbital mechanics, and the long-term evolution of space objects.
