Chandigarh, August 3, 2025:Noted Space Scientist and former Chairman of ISRO Dr. S. Somanath will deliver the Panjab University Colloquium Lecture on August 4, 2025 at the University Auditorium, Sector 14.

The prestigious lecture, being held under the Panjab University Colloquium Series, will be presided over by PU Vice Chancellor, Professor Renu Vig. It is open to all.

Coordinator of PU Colloquium Series Professor Desh Deepak Singh informed that the talk, titled “Space Sector in India: Opportunities for Business and Startups”, will focus on India’s expanding space ecosystem, commercial opportunities, and the rise of startups in space technology.

Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor Dr. Somanath brings with him nearly four decades of pioneering work in launch vehicle engineering and space missions. As the Chairman of ISRO from 2022 to 2025, he led major missions like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, XPoSat, INSAT-3DS, NVS-01, PSLV-C57, and LVM3-OneWeb launches. He was instrumental in initiating Space Vision-2047, the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, SpaDEx docking mission, and strengthening India’s commercial space ecosystem via IN-SPACe and NSIL.

Dr. Somanath is also a Fellow of INAE, INSA, AeSI, ASI, and IAA, and currently serves as President-elect of AeSI and President of SAQR. He has been honoured with numerous prestigious awards including the National Aeronautics Prize, Space Gold Medal, Rajyotsava Award, and Honorary Doctorates from over 10 universities.

It may be recalled that Panjab University has an enduring academic association with space and atmospheric sciences through its Department of Physics, Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics, and collaborative research with organizations like ISRO and IUCAA. The University has contributed to national space missions through advanced research in cosmic rays, space weather, and astrophysics. Dr. Somanath’s lecture is expected to further inspire interdisciplinary engagement and entrepreneurial exploration among students and researchers at PU.