Jobs that are truly out of this world

THERE'S ENOUGH BUZZ ON IIT CAMPUSES AFTER SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA'S MISSION, BUT THE SPACE NEEDS NOT JUST ENGINEERS, BUT ALSO MANAGERS/ACCOUNTANTS

- VIKRAM CHAUDHARY

SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA, the Indian Air Force group captain who recently went to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Axiom Mission 4, generated enough buzz on Indian campuses, including IITs. Sources told FE that his mission is being seen as a powerful motivator for the next generation of scientists and engineers. He is also one of the four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan—the country's first human spaceflight programme.

We talked to Prof. Satya Chakravarthy of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, who said that the space industry doesn't just need engineers, scientists, or astronauts, but also accountants, MBAs, meteorologists, geologists, and sales & business experts.

What kind of jobs are available in the space industry?