Isro invites academia to partner on future missions with RESPOND-2025

BENGALURU: Isro Tuesday released “RESPOND Basket 2025”, a detailed roadmap of priority research problems for academic institutions, inviting proposals by Jan 31, 2026. The document identifies mission-linked R&D needs across launch vehicles, satellites, human spaceflight, planetary science, propulsion, materials, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

The sixth edition of the RESPOND Basket places a stronger focus on prototype development and improving technology readiness levels. As per Isro, deeper academic collaboration will be crucial for upcoming programmes such as Gaganyaan continuation missions, Chandrayaan-4, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and future planetary explorations.

Issued by Isro’s Capacity Building and Public Outreach office, RESPOND Basket 2025 identifies urgent and mission-critical research needs across launch vehicles, satellites, human spaceflight, planetary science, remote sensing, propulsion, avionics, materials, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

According to Isro, academia has played a sustained role in supporting the national space programme since the sponsored research programme was launched in the early 1970s. Since the first RESPOND Basket was released in 2018, a total of 871 research problems have been shared with academic institutions, many of which have fed into operational and experimental missions.

The latest basket comes at a time when Isro is preparing for an expanded roadmap that includes the BAS, lunar and human missions, and a Venus orbiter.

RESPOND Basket 2025 lists research topics proposed by more than a dozen Isro and Department of Space centres, including Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, UR Rao Satellite Centre, Space Applications Centre, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Physical Research Laboratory and the Human Space Flight Centre. Each topic includes a defined scope, expected deliverables and clear linkages to specific space programmes.

“Eligible applicants include faculty members and scientists from recognised academic and autonomous research institutions. Proposals will be evaluated by Isro experts based on novelty, technical approach, feasibility, experience of the principal investigator, project duration and budget,” Isro said.

It added that the initiative is intended not only to solve immediate technological challenges but also to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting a growing space industry.