Dr. S Somanath

Former Chairman ISRO | Prof. Vikram Sarabhai Professor, ISRO | Distinguished Visiting Professor, IISc, Bangalore | Advisor (Space Technology) AP Govt.

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

Happy to be at CAETS, the meeting of national engineering academies from around the world, in Munich, Germany, from 14–17 September, attending as VP of INAE responsible for international engagements.
The theme, “Earth Observation and Disasters,” is highly relevant to building a resilient world. I presented India’s perspectives on Earth Observation, with a focus on disaster management.
The way forward is multi-sensor observations, higher revisit through satellite constellations, simulation and prediction models, and rapid delivery of actionable intelligence.

Global collaboration through joint missions and sharing data across platforms is essential for better disaster preparedness, early warning and timely response.
From observation to prediction, and from data to action: Earth Observation must serve resilience and humanity.
#SomanathSpeak
#INAE

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

Congratulations COSMIC. This technology development is critical for the nation to achieve high throughput communication from future constellations and for secured communication networks. Good example of academy-industry collaborative research.
#SomanathSpeak

[QOSMIC @QOSMIC__Space]

QOSMIC has been granted a US patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We've been working toward this for just under a year, and it's a proud day for the whole team.

For decades, optical ground stations have been built around one assumption: if you want to collect more light from a satellite, you need a bigger telescope. Past a point, that stopped making sense.

Our optical ground station uses an array of phased telescopes acting as one aperture. It's the architecture behind ARGUS, and it turns a ground station from a fixed piece of infrastructure into something modular, that scales with the constellation it serves. Both uplink and downlink.

Why this matters now: as satellite data moves from radio to light, the ground has to keep up. The constellations going up need far more data brought down, faster and more efficiently than today's stations can manage. This patent embodies the core of how we solve that.
The ground stations of the next era won't look like the ones we have today. This is just the start, and we're moving fast.

@Jain_Shrey_ @RohitKR79 @aalokelab @AccelIndia @AccelAtoms @Accel @spc @artparkindia @spc_india @_pagarwal @MBalachand90142 @prateekmehta42 @ankitcc @adityaag @JPBrebner @nayankote

[QOSMIC @QOSMIC__Space]

QOSMIC has been granted a US patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We've been working toward this for just under a year, and it's a proud day for the whole team.

For decades, optical ground stations have been built around one assumption: if you want to collect more light from a satellite, you need a bigger telescope. Past a point, that stopped making sense.

Our optical ground station uses an array of phased telescopes acting as one aperture. It's the architecture behind ARGUS, and it turns a ground station from a fixed piece of infrastructure into something modular, that scales with the constellation it serves. Both uplink and downlink.

Why this matters now: as satellite data moves from radio to light, the ground has to keep up. The constellations going up need far more data brought down, faster and more efficiently than today's stations can manage. This patent embodies the core of how we solve that.
The ground stations of the next era won't look like the ones we have today. This is just the start, and we're moving fast.

@Jain_Shrey_ @RohitKR79 @aalokelab @AccelIndia @AccelAtoms @Accel @spc @artparkindia @spc_india @_pagarwal @MBalachand90142 @prateekmehta42 @ankitcc @adityaag @JPBrebner @nayankote

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

@ChidanandaMoh18 Please explore https://t.co/LZe9lkRYP6 for more details.

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

Delighted to unveil FEMTO, a Made-in-India high-performance AI-in-a-Box by Vigyanlabs, bringing data-centre-class AI capabilities directly to enterprises, government and institutions.

With up to 32 PFLOPS of AI compute, integrated GPU cloud, virtualization, orchestration, MLOps/LLMOps and model serving, FEMTO-4 is a significant step towards sovereign, scalable and energy-efficient AI infrastructure.

Combined with Vigyanlabs’ sustainable Micro Data Center in Mysuru, achieving PUE <1.3 with zero water usage, it demonstrates a compelling model for India’s edge-to-data-centre AI ecosystem with lower energy consumption, reduced operating costs and data sovereignty.

Congratulations to the Vigyanlabs team on this important Made-in-India innovation! 🇮🇳
#SomanathSpeak

[National Testing Agency @NTA_Exams]

🇮🇳 Government of India - Public Consultation

Exam reforms: your suggestion is invited.

The High-Powered Task Force on Reforms in Public Examinations wants to hear from students, parents, teachers, every citizen.

Send yours on WhatsApp in 2 minutes:
👉 https://t.co/DMm44AZLKH

Website: https://t.co/et5p8tZ4bk
Toll-free: 1800-180-4747
Email: [email protected]

Write in English, Hindi or any regional language.

🗓️ Last date: 13 September 2026

Forward this to your groups, every voice counts.

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

The Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), Chennai Branch’s Academia–Industry Conclave at Coimbatore today brought together industry, academia and startups to explore stronger collaboration through research support, industry-led R&D and translational research.

Delighted to see the vibrant aerospace ecosystem emerging in Tamilnadu, especially in Coimbatore, and encouraged by the energy and enthusiasm of young students undergoing Aerospace engineering courses in many institutions.

Congratulations to the AeSI Chennai Branch for organising this excellent initiative!
#SomanathSpeak
#AeSI

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

My term as Chairperson of the Research Council of CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) concluded with the 69th meeting of the Research Council on August 5.

It has been a deeply satisfying and enriching journey. I am particularly happy to see the significant progress in shaping a long-term vision for NAL, initiating large-scale infrastructure projects, enhancing external funding, and launching new and impactful R&D initiatives.

My sincere appreciation to the Director, Cluster Chairs, scientists, engineers and all members of the Research Council for their excellent support, commitment and openness to new ideas. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in strengthening the institution.

The journey, however, is far from complete. Important long-term aspirations remain; to build a strong national capability in Regional Transport Aircraft, develop the regulatory systems and infrastructure for air taxis, and create the technologies and ecosystem for drones and emerging forms of personal air transportation.

NAL has a vital role to play in shaping India’s future aerospace capabilities. I am confident that, with its strong foundations and the induction of new talented young generation, NAL will continue to pursue ambitious goals, translate advanced R&D into national capabilities, and strengthen the bridge between research, industry and societal needs.
My best wishes to the entire NAL family for the exciting journey ahead.
#SomanathSpeak

[Duvvuri Subrahmanyam | ದುವ್ವೂರಿ ಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯಂ @mangaloreman]

The past week marks a very important milestone in the history of Aerospace Department at @iiscbangalore. For 84 years the Department only offered graduate-level programs (MTech/PhD) in Aerospace. That changed last week... [1/n]

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

My very best wishes to Team Skyroot Aerospace on the test launch of Mission Aagaman with Vikram-1 orbital rocket today.

This is far more than the maiden orbital flight of a rocket, it marks the arrival of India’s private rocket building capability and reflects the remarkable transformation of our space ecosystem. Built on years of innovation, policy reforms, and the strong foundation laid by ISRO, and the energy of the entrepreneurial youth, this mission opens new opportunities for Indian industry, startups, and the global space economy.

Every pioneering launch advances our collective capability, regardless of the outcome, by creating knowledge, confidence, and momentum for the future.

Wishing Team Skyroot a safe and successful mission. May Vikram-1 herald a new era of innovation and commercial development for India
#skyrootaerospace
#SomanathSpeak

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

Honoured to deliver the inaugural lecture of the SANKALP Series, jointly organised by DSIR and APCTT, and hosted by the UN Centre, with participants from 33 member countries joining online.

I spoke on “From Knowledge to National Prosperity: Building India’s Innovation and Technology Ecosystem”, followed by a fireside chat with author Sri Dinesh C. Sharma and an engaging Q&A session. The discussion reinforced the importance of transforming knowledge into innovation, innovation into enterprise, and enterprise into national prosperity. #SANKALP #DSIR #UN #APCTT
#SomanathSpeak

[United Nations in India @UNinIndia]

Catch a special talk by former @isro chairman Dr. S. Somanath on building India's innovation &amp; technology ecosystem as part of the @UNAPCTT @IndiaDsir SANKALP series
🗓️ 16 July, 11:00 am

Tune in online or join us at UN House in New Delhi! Register here ➡️https://t.co/bxogbjIrS8

[ABP LIVE @abplive]

Lead Inc. | Great missions are built by great teams. And great teams are built by great
leaders.

When we think of #ISRO, we think of rockets, moon missions and scientific breakthroughs. What we don’t often think about is leadership.

In this episode of Lead Inc. by #ABPLive in association with #ElephantConnect, our host and author Manjiri Gokhale Joshi sits down with Dr S Somnath Panicker, former Chairman at ISRO, for a conversation that goes far beyond space exploration.

Why do some organisations continue to produce great leaders decade after decade and how do you build teams that stay motivated through failure, uncertainty and impossible deadlines?

Dr Somnath reflects on the iconic image of women scientists celebrating India’s space missions, the importance of giving credit where it’s due and why the strongest leaders are often the ones willing to step back and let others shine.

Watch all this and more in this #Exclusive interview:
https://t.co/6DdXnaNAra

@AuthorManjiriGJ @ElephantConnect @SomanathSpeak

#LeadInc #ISRO #SomnathPanicker #Leadership #Chandrayaan3 #Innovation #Mentorship #WomenInSTEM #ABPLive #ElephantConnect

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

Privileged to participate in the send-off function of my sister, Manju S., on her superannuation from the State Bank of India, Olavakkod Branch, on 30 May.

A mathematics prodigy and university rank holder in both graduation and post-graduation, she never sought a career in science, choosing instead a life of quiet dedication, humility, and spirituality. The farewell, thoughtfully organized by the Bank, brought together colleagues, her daughters and children from KV School nearby, with whom me and sister shared warm interactions and memories.

Happy and grateful to have shared this special milestone in her life’s journey. Wishing her a fulfilling and joyful new chapter ahead.
#SBI
#SomanathSpeak

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

Proud of the achievements of ISRO team 👏👏👏 and the vision of our Prime minister to have a meaningful participation of our nation in Space exploration through further missions to Moon, other planets and building BAS.

Space research and capabilities are as important as space economy.

[Dr Jitendra Singh @DrJitendraSingh]

India’s #Chandrayaan3 continues to make the nation proud 🇮🇳

The mission has been honoured with the prestigious 2026 AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award — the highest recognition in astronautics — for its historic soft landing near the Moon’s south pole and its contribution to future lunar exploration.

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

At the historic SP College campus, Pune, as part of National Technology Day celebrations organized by Vibha (Paschim Maharashtra), it was a deeply enriching experience to engage with legacy aspiration of youngsters.
Particularly inspiring was the sight of the neem tree planted by Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya during his visit in 1931- flourishing symbol of vision, resilience, and nation-building. The Akhand Bharat depiction on campus offered valuable historical and cultural insights, adding depth to the visit.
The National Technology Day oration was directed at young minds, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping the #ViksitBharat agenda, through innovation, integrity, and a commitment to excellence in science and technology.
#SomanathSpeak

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

Participated in the Annual General Body Meeting of the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), Thiruvananthapuram Branch — one of the most active and vibrant branches of AeSI. Honoured to receive felicitations on assuming the role of National President of AeSI.

The Thiruvananthapuram team is carrying out extensive professional and outreach activities, inspiring the next generation and strengthening the aerospace ecosystem. It was also a pleasure to reconnect with many former Chairpersons and office bearers whose dedication built this institution over decades.

In my remarks, I shared that for many associated with AeSI, contributing to this professional society is not merely a responsibility, but an emotion. Also outlined a long-term vision for AeSI to build stronger national advocacy and engagement for India’s aerospace sector.
#AeSI
#SomanathSpeak

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

For Chanakya University, it is a proud moment in the Space journey of Bharat. Chanakya Satellite Ground Station has successfully tracked @GalaxEye Space's newly launched Drishti satellite and captured telemetry from this groundbreaking OptoSAR satellite. We have successfully streamed it in real-time to the GalaxEye team, thus actively bridging the gap between academic capability and private space enterprise. Excellent work by everyone involved!
#ChanakyaUni
#SomanathSpeak
#GalexEye

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

@GalaxEye Congratulations 👏👏👏

[Dr. S Somanath @SomanathSpeak]

@thesuyashsingh All the very best for the launch. Waiting for the first image from orbit.