Astronomy and Space Innovation (ASI) Lab

The Astronomy and Space Innovation Lab is a visionary initiative spearheaded by Prof. Abhirup Datta, Professor at the Department of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Engineering (DAASE), IIT Indore. The lab was established with the goal of making astronomy and space science accessible to all students, regardless of their academic background or prior exposure to the field.

It creates an open and engaging environment where students can explore the universe through hands-on learning. By working with real scientific instruments and conducting practical experiments, students gain a deeper, experience-based understanding of key concepts in astronomy and space engineering. The lab is designed to ignite curiosity, foster scientific thinking, and provide a strong conceptual foundation for anyone interested in exploring the cosmos.

As part of this initiative, we currently operate three fully functional laboratories, each equipped with modern, state-of-the-art tools and facilities that support a broad range of experimental activities:

• HICASE Lab (Heritage and Innovation Centre in Astronomy and Space Engineering) located at Centre for Experiential Learning on Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (C-ELITE) in Ujjain engineering college blends India’s astronomical heritage with cutting-edge innovation. It provides a unique setting for immersive learning and experimentation in both observational and applied aspects of space science.

• Yajur Vedshala, in the Government Schools of Haryana as a part of a MoU signed with the Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad (HSSPP) for Implementation and Operationalization of Astronomy Labs and to contribute towards integrating astronomy with the school curriculum.

• Astronomy and Space Tinkering Lab, located at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Indore, focuses on school-level outreach and foundational experimentation.

Together, these labs are a step towards building an ecosystem which can bridge between classroom learning and real-world scientific inquiry, inspiring the next generation of astronomers, engineers, and innovators.