Satellite 'Swayam', developed by Pune Engineering college students, set to launch on 20 June

In one of a kind initiative, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the help of students of the College Of Engineering Pune (CoEP) has developed its Pico Satellite ‘Swayam’ which is set to launch on June 20. 

The students are working on the project, since 2008, on the campus on a corpus fund of Rs 50 lakh. The satellite is being launched along with ISRO’s satellite CartoSat-2C from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Speaking to media on Thursday, BB Ahuja, Director of CoEP, said the utility of the satellite will be to ensure that end-to-end communication is established even in the remotest of places. Students involved in the project said that the satellite weighs less than 1,000 grams and hence, is termed as Pico satellite. Moreover, since the satellite aligns itself with the magnetic field on its own, hence termed as Swayam. 

“The satellite uses the magnetic field of the earth to stabilise the satellite after the launch. This technology is unique and will be used for the first time in the country,” added Ahuja.

Besides, Project manager Dhaval Waghulde said students of all faculties and different batches participated in the project with seniors passing on the expertise to the new students. Meanwhile, faculty head, Manisha Khaladkar said that a second project has also been approved by ISRO.

Though currently unnamed, she said, the project will be powered by solar energy and will be three times the current size of the satellite.  “The satellite will fly like a kite and will send the data on ion composition regularly to earth that can be then studied. This project will be powered by only solar energy,” she added.