Department of Space Engineering and Rocketry
Overview
The Department of Space Engineering and Rocketry – the first of its kind in the country – was established in 1964 at BIT Mesra to train scientists and engineers in Aerospace Engineering and Rocket Technologies. Since 1968, it has offered a postgraduate degree course (M.Tech.) with specialization in Aerodynamics and Rocket Propulsion. The Department aims to provide state-of-the-art education and training to support India’s national missions in space and defense.
Vision
To effectively integrate teaching, research, and innovation for significant contributions to national aerospace programmes.
Mission
- Provide quality education and research training at the postgraduate and doctoral levels.
- Establish modern infrastructure and foster innovation through sponsored research.
- Encourage professional leadership and academic excellence.
- Foster academia–industry collaboration and sustained interaction with research bodies.
Programme Educational Objectives
- Build strong foundations for advanced research in Space Engineering and Rocket Science.
- Enable graduates to address real-world problems in Space Technology.
- Promote lifelong learning and professional development.
- Encourage teamwork, ethics, and goal-oriented innovation.
Programme Outcomes
- Ability to conduct independent R&D in Aerodynamics and Rocket Propulsion.
- Competence in writing and presenting technical research.
- Mastery in specialized aerospace topics beyond undergraduate level.
- Skills to design experiments and interpret results using theory and simulations.
- Commitment to ethics and professional responsibility.
- Dedication to continuous learning amid evolving technologies.
Research Facilities
- Advanced labs for Aerodynamics, Propellant Technology, Rocket Propulsion, and Combustion.
- Static test setups with computer-controlled firing and data acquisition for solid, liquid, and hybrid rockets.
- Full infrastructure for rocket motor fabrication and testing.
- Specialized equipment like STA, TGA, DSC, rheometers, calorimeters, and more.
- Four wind tunnels and CFD research capabilities using ANSYS and in-house code development.
Programs Offered
M.Tech. – 2-Year (Four Semester) Program
- Aerospace Engineering with specialization in Aerodynamics (Intake: 12)
- Aerospace Engineering with specialization in Rocket Propulsion (Intake: 12)
Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)
The Department has developed robust infrastructure for doctoral and postdoctoral research. Funded projects are regularly carried out under national R&D grants.
Fields of Research (M.Tech & Ph.D.)
- Experimental Aerodynamics: Low/High-speed flows, jets, acoustics, and enthalpy studies
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Rocket Propulsion
- Propellant Technology and Combustion
Contact
Dr. Priyank Kumar
Associate Professor & Head
Department of Space Engineering and Rocketry
Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand – 835215
Email: hod.sr@bitmesra.ac.in