The Department of Aerospace Engineering hosted the 2nd Aerospace Symposium on Technological Research Advancements (ASTRA 2025). This premier three-day symposium was held from June 12 to 14, 2025 was conducted in association with Indian Society for Heat and Mass Transfer (ISHMT)- Regional Chapter, Trivandrum, Kerala Spacepark (KSpace) and IQAC, IIST. Symposium focused on aerospace innovation, entrepreneurship, and research developments. Over 250 participants from various institutions including IITs, NITs, IISERs, GECs, LPSC, IPRC, VSSC, and industries such as Collins Aerospac, L&T, joined for the event.

A major highlight of this three-day event was the startup and industry engagement sessions in the pre-conference event named ‘Lift-Off’ that held on Thursday, 12th June. This is organised in collaboration with KSpace, led by its CEO, Shri. G Levin, which includes panel discussions with representatives from leading space-tech startups like Hex20, Strava Technologies, and Taclog. Senior scientist Shri. Ajayalal PR (Deputy Director, LPSC) delivered the keynote address. The event will also feature presentations from IIST’s space technology innovation and incubation centre (STIIC) task team, headed by Shri Harish CS, showcased initiatives that support innovation and student entrepreneurship. The event was also featured addresses by pioneers, including Dr Praksh Chouhan (Director, NRSC), Shri. K Anand (Deputy Director, VSSC), Shri Ashok Kurian Panjikaran (Senior manager, KSUM) and Shri. G. Narayanan (Former CMD, NSIL). Dr. Shri. G. Ayyappan (Former Associate Director, VSSC) and Shri. Midhun Babu, Senior DGM L&T will be addressing the gathering during the event.

The main event, i.e. the symposium was scheduled on Friday and Saturday (13th and 14th June 2025), which was in consortium with AGNI (an annual colloquium organised by ISHMT), featured keynote addresses by leading experts such as Shri. R. Hutton (Associate Director, LPSC), Shri. K R. Jyothilal IAS (Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala), Ms. Hiral Shah (Siemens Energy India), Dr. Manjunath, (GTRE, DRDO), Dr. M Angappan (Aeronautical Development Agency), and renowned scientist Dr. Gangan Prathap. Sessions covere a range of topics, including India’s human spaceflight program, machine learning in gas turbines, hydrogen technologies, and aerospace manufacturing. ). Dr. Shri. S. Sunil Kumar (Former Deputy Director, LPSC & Vice President, ISHMT)) addressed the gathering during the event. ASTRA 2025 also included technical paper sessions on tracks including Thermal & Propulsion, Aerodynamics & Flight Mechanics, Structures & Design and Materials, Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering, with 14 sessions covering around 75 presentations. Outstanding contributions awarded with Best Paper Awards instituted by ISHMT Regional Chapter. ASTRA 2025 demosrtated a unique confluence of thought leadership, technical excellence, diversity, and entrepreneurial energy, reaffirming IIST’s commitment to shaping the future of aerospace technologies in India.