Identifying the importance to generate basic knowledge through advanced academic research to support a self-reliant and self generating space programme for the country in the coming years and being convinced that sufficient skilled scientific and technical personnel exist in ISRO and IIT(B), who can conduct basic advanced research and tackle multi-disciplinary problems in Space Technology and its applications, the ISRO-IIT (B) Space Technology Cell (STC) was established in May, 1984 through an MOU between ISRO and IIT, Bombay.

Initially, the tenure of the cell was for 5 years and during the first five years accent was n research and educational programmes related to remote sensing applications.  After the first tenure the two organizations agreed to continue their activities, that has been established earlier and to further strengthen and develop the link.  In recent years the emphasis is given to the research activities under STC to cover a wide range of Space Technology areas.  The research projects now include areas such as Satellite Control, Composite Materials, SAR Interferometry, Crycooler, Sloshing, Radiation Hardened Devices, Data Compression etc.  In most of these research projects, there were active interactions between IIT faculties and research scientists of various laboratories of ISRO.

At present, the following activities are being undertaken under ISRO-IIT (B) STC programme:

·       Sponsored research programme

·       Continuing educational programme

·       Support to organize workshops/seminars/symposia/short-term courses etc.