IIT Madras partners with Vellon Space for extra-terrestrial manufacturing research

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

IIT Madras) is collaborating with Indian space startup Vellon Space to advance extra-terrestrial manufacturing research and development.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone in orbital ‘microgravity research’.

Elevate Your Tech Prowess with High-Value Skill Courses

Vellon Space will receive a technology development fund from IIT Madras to demonstrate its miniature space laboratory, called AsteriX Lab, in orbit.

The IIT Madras research centre, called Extra-Terrestrial Manufacturing (ExTeM-IITM) is the pilot customer for this in-orbit demonstration mission of Vellon Space.

“This demonstration sows the seed for biomanufacturing in space, which can revolutionise cell culture and drug development processes in space, ultimately leading to enhanced pharmaceuticals and better human health outcomes,” Sathyan Subbiah, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras and coordinator of ExTeM-IITM, said in a statement.

During its demonstration, the AsteriX Lab will undergo space qualification to conduct biological experiments, particularly in long-duration cell culture, under lower earth microgravity. This demonstration in space is expected to take place by 2025.

ExTeM-IITM is a group of researchers at IIT Madras teaming up to focus on developing technologies for manufacturing