There are always mysterious and unknown facts about space. We always wonder about the stars, planets, galaxies, etc. And a space scientist is a person who discovers and researches this unknown fact about space and the universe. Space scientists can be divided into two parts – astronomers and physicists. An astronomer is a person who observes the universe and finds out the function of how it works. On the other hand, a physicist is a person who is a master of the theoretical objects of the laboratory and works with the laboratory equipment.
Plans to become a space scientist after 12th:
A student interested in space and related matters can become a space scientist by starting the preparation at an early stage. Students must choose a science background consisting of physics, chemistry, and mathematics in their 12th academic session. They must score well in the mentioned subject for further studies.
Courses to choose after 12th:
Aspirant students must choose B.Tech. or B.E. in courses in some fixed subjects, such as – electrical, electronics, computer science, and mechanics. Students can also choose a bachelor’s degree in subjects like – physics, mathematics, or astronomy. After completing the bachelor’s degree, they should opt for further studies in master’s degree in the previously mentioned subjects. Also, a student having a Phd. degree in mathematics and physics will have an extra advantage to become a space scientist.
A student can also do an engineering course regarding subjects of electrical, mechanical, and so on. The students can choose engineering courses in aeronautical or aerospace based on their rank in the entrance exams. Other than these, they can also opt for an M.Sc. course of 5 years in the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) to become a space scientist. The list of the courses in space science is provided below –
• B.Tech. in Avionics Engineering
• B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering
• B.Tech. + M.S./MTech.
• MTech in electrical, electronics, computer science, and mechanics
• Physics + M.S. in solid-state physics, earth system science, astronomy, or MTech in optical engineering
• Ph.D. in relevant subjects
Best colleges for space science courses:
In India, the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) have the best quality of education in the engineering courses related to space science. Some of the IITs also offer master’s degrees in astrophysics. Some of the other best institutes offering courses related to space science are –
· Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER-TVM)
· Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
· Raman Research Institute Bangalore
· Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune
· Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Kerala
· Centre for Earth and Space Sciences, (University of Hyderabad)
· National Center for Radio Astronomy Pune
· Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad
· Centre for Earth and Space Sciences, (University of Hyderabad)
· Birla Planetarium, Kolkata
· BAMU University, Aurangabad
Admission process for the courses:
Most of the colleges offering courses related to space science conduct their entrance exams at the state level or national level. The top engineering colleges having the curriculum of space science select students based on their results in exams like – JEE, IIST, AIEE, and BITSAT.
A career as a space scientist:
With the rapid development of technology and science, India is also getting ahead in the race of space exploration. And this is becoming possible with continuous research and devotion from space scientists. This urge to explore space has increased the demand for a space scientist in India. Not only this but the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969 has also fuelled the interest in this career.
Students can get hired in organizations like – ISRO, VSSC, and DRDO. These institutions recruit candidates based on their experience level, academic performance, skills, etc. at different levels. With new projects like – Chandrayan, Agni, Mission Mangalyaan, etc. a career as a space scientist is catching the attention of the youth. A fresher space scientist can get a salary between 2.5 lakh to 3.5 lakh. So, if you want to reveal the mysterious space and get beyond the boundaries of the earth, you can become a space scientist and fulfill your dreams.
By Sayantika Mondal
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