Fri May 16 12:44:49 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**ISRO Prioritizes Eco-Friendly Space Exploration, Says VSSC Director**

**Thiruvananthapuram, India – May 16, 2025** – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making significant strides in developing environmentally sustainable launch vehicle systems, highlighting India’s commitment to responsible space exploration. This was emphasized by S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), during his inaugural address at the two-day national conference on Emerging Vistas in Chemical Engineering (EVINCE 2025) held today in Thiruvananthapuram.

Dr. Nair highlighted ISRO’s progress in utilizing eco-friendly propellants such as semi-cryogenic, cryogenic, and Liquid Oxygen-Methane, underscoring the pivotal role of chemical engineering in driving India’s technological advancement, particularly within the space sector.

M.C. Dathan, Mentor (Science) to the Chief Minister of Kerala, and former VSSC director, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for prioritizing sustainability and circular economy principles to develop innovative solutions for reducing carbon footprints.

EVINCE 2025, organized by the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Thiruvananthapuram chapter, focuses on the theme “The art and science of artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing for revolutionising the design and production of materials.” The conference brings together experts to discuss and showcase the latest advancements in the field.

Other notable speakers at the event included Anirudha Bhalchandra Pandit, Vice-Chancellor of the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai; C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram; R Vijay, Director, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI); and S.K. Manu, Deputy Director, VSSC.

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