Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has embarked on an ambitious space program, approved by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) under the Department of Space.
The initiative revolves around the creation of 'SS AMU SAT,' the inaugural satellite program named in honor of AMU's founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
Launched in November 2021 by the AMU Robo Club, the SS AMU SAT is a 3U CubeSat with a multifaceted mission. Objectives encompass the examination of economic growth in India's most impoverished regions via satellite imagery and the deployment of an in-house image compression technology for expeditious multimedia transmission.
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Additionally, the satellite will serve as a testbed for various internally constructed satellite sub-systems.
In January 2023, the project was submitted to IN-SPACe for approval, registration, frequency allocation, and eventual launch.
The Student Satellite Committee, presided over by Dr. P.K. Jain, Director (PMAD) at IN-SPACe, conducted a review in September 2023. The proposal earned approval with the condition that AMU would formalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IN-SPACe, outlining all activities from SS AMU SAT's development to its launch into Lower Earth Orbit.
The student team, led by Poorti Varshney and guided by Dr. C. A. Prabhakar (Former Project Director, ISRO) and Faraz Ahmad (a 2013 alumnus), has been actively involved in the project's development.
The initiative has received technical assistance from AMU alumni currently employed at ISRO, along with input from industrial experts worldwide.
A tentative launch date for the project is set for six months from now.