The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will set up a Space Technology Incubation Center (S-TIC) at the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) to carry out research and product development in the space technology field. The incubation center shall promote start-ups, capacity-building, innovations, and research in space technology in Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and the Andamans.

Space technology-related research and the products from the S-TIC will be utilized in future space missions, said K. Sivan, chairman of ISRO and secretary department of space. “The key outcomes envisaged from the S-TIC include—research and innovation in space technology, product development, IPR, prototype development, space start-up, and business incubation,” both the organizations said in a statement.

ISRO will provide an annual grant-in-aid of ₹2 crore for a period of up to two years to NIT Rourkela as seed money for setting up the S-TIC. NIT Rourkela will provide the required infrastructure inside the campus.