Wesat legacy goes beyond glass ceilings

Breaking the glass ceiling has always been a formidable challenge, particularly for women in male-dominated fields such as technology and space exploration. The 2016 film Hidden Figures highlighted the persistent biases even within prestigious institutions like Nasa.

In India, while there are exceptional figures like Tessy Thomas, the “Missile Woman” of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the struggle for recognition and equality remains an ongoing battle.

Among these stories of resilience is the remarkable achievement of Wesat – a satellite developed by students from the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Technology for Women (LBSITW). Yet, even a year after its launch, the narrative of Wesat continues to be overshadowed by its “all-women” label, rather than celebrated for its scientific contributions.

“I was surprised when I received calls from the media asking if the mission had achieved its objectives. I was shocked. On the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) website, it is clearly stated that our satellite completed its mission successfully, validated by none other than the premier space agency itself,” said Professor Lizy Abraham, who spearheaded the project.

Speaking at an event marking the anniversary of the Wesat launch, she added, “Such questions have even raised doubts among the students of the college about the project’s success.”

Tough Beginning

The Wesat project, which began in 2018, demanded extensive study, rigorous data collection, and relentless effort. Initially the students faced scepticism, as many doubted whether an all-women team could accomplish such a feat.

Such challenges only strengthened their resolve. “After a while, it became an obsession for us rather than just a college project,” said Surya Jayakumar, a student leader of the initiative.

Despite their enthusiasm, the team encountered a significant hurdle common to deep-tech projects in Kerala: insufficient funding. This financial struggle proved insurmountable at times, but grants from the central government’s Nidhi Prayas programme and the Kerala Startup Mission eventually came to their rescue.

All that pain was swept away by the euphoria on 1 January 2024, when the PSLV rocket soared into the sky from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, placing Wesat 350 kilometres above the Earth.

Passing the Test

“The college can hold its head high for this marvellous feat. Creating hardware that has to function in space is entirely different. The extreme conditions it must withstand – from radiation to severe cold – demand an extraordinary level of design and engineering precision,” said Lizy.

To emphasise the difference, she explained, “Gadgets like health watches can stop functioning if you linger too long in the ice parks of entertainment centres. Outer space temperatures are far more extreme, and satellites must operate seamlessly in those conditions. The intense vibrations that hardware endures during launch could easily shatter regular electronic gadgets.”

The students’ journey was one of trial and error, marked by moments of frustration and triumph. One notable instance was a hackathon that extended beyond college hours, prompting concerns among parents about their daughters’ safety. Faculty members had to personally reach out to reassure the worried parents.

While senior students were out pitching for funds, a team of juniors took on the hackathon challenge of developing a site to translate satellite data.

“They told me they often felt like mad scientists, pursuing unconventional methods to find a way,” said Lizy, drawing a parallel to the iconic dialogue from Manichitrathazhu, where Mohanlal’s character declares his determination to traverse unknown paths like a madman to reach his goal.

Mad Rush

A particularly challenging episode arose when the team was notified of a test deadline at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre with just a few days’ notice. In a moment of sheer determination, Lizy decided to personally drive the satellite to Sriharikota.

Accompanied by student coordinators Devika and Surya, she embarked on a 30-hour non-stop journey to deliver the satellite to the site, 900 kilometres away. “What in the world gave you the courage to get into my car for this mad mission?” Lizy later quipped to her students with a laugh.

At the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, they came to face to face with scientists from different places as Wesat shared space with eight other satellites aboard the PSLV rocket. Wesat’s distinct circular shape and golden hue stood out among the payloads, sparking curiosity from scientists and industry experts alike.

Unique Design 

This unique design choice, although more challenging to fabricate than the conventional rectangular shape, became a hallmark of the Wesat project. The team is now working to patent this innovative design.

Wesat’s performance surpassed all expectations. Unlike most satellites, which are activated from the ground after placed in orbit, the self-charging Wesat began recording UV radiation data the moment the rocket’s heat shields peeled away.

This unprecedented capability allowed Wesat to capture data throughout the PSLV’s trajectory – from its ascent to 650 km above Earth to its eventual orbit at 350 km. The college authorities are now pursuing a patent for this battery-free engineering, which holds potential for worldwide applications.

Student coordinators Devika and Surya were granted the rare privilege of entering the moving station tower at the launch pad. This scaffolding-like platform loads the satellites into the top section of the 15-storey high rocket, and the two students became the youngest individuals ever to access such a critical area.

Lesson for Trivandrum

The project’s goal was to directly measure ultraviolet (UV) radiation data – a methodology that diverged significantly from the widely used multispectral approach. Data collected on UV impact in Trivandrum revealed alarming indices, often exceeding the safety threshold of 7. On certain days, the index soared into double digits, reaching as high as 11.8.

Such readings could trigger health alerts in many countries, advising people to stay indoors. This data highlights the urgent need for more detailed studies on UV radiation, particularly in regions like Kerala.

While the scientific achievements of the project are praiseworthy, its true legacy lies in the inspiration it has provided to others. Galvanised by Wesat, the Government Model High School is now planning a student satellite project. The path shown by the LBSITW team will undoubtedly serve as a valuable reference for these budding scientists.

The Wesat team showed that determined efforts can overcome tough odds. But their true achievement lies not just in breaking glass ceilings but in building bridges for others to follow.

The weird, wonderful CES

As usual, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) introduced a variety of novel products. No surprises there, as 4,000 companies from around the world, including 1,400 startups, gathered in Las Vegas to showcase their innovations. mong those that caught our attention were the robotic floor cleaner, which can also pick up socks from the floor (something we desperately need). The smart espresso coffee machine with ten sensors looked fascinating, although we’re not sure about using the robotic cat to blow air and cool down our coffee. The electric salt spoon that can simulate taste without adding actual salt seemed like a cool idea, as did the toaster-like instant phone charging gadget. Here’s a link to more such products on display.

Most of the headline-grabbing news from CES 2025 were made by Nvidia founder Jensen Huang, who unveiled a plethora of new innovations during his keynote speech. From Project Digits, a “personal AI supercomputer,” to their planned new chip, which will contain 92 billion transistors capable of 1.8 terabytes per second  – double the capacity of their existing models. However, full marks to the eagle-eyed audience, as they quickly noticed that the lizard-patterned leather jacket he wore on stage was a Tom Ford number worth 8,990 US dollars. Wonder if they used ChatGPT to figure that out.

Chips maker tastes more success

Banana chips from Kerala are a product that could compete with potato chips on the global stage if marketed cleverly, although they have yet to fully capture the Indian market. So, it was exciting to hear that Beyond Snacks has raised 8.3 million US dollars in funding to expand into new markets. Founded in 2020 by Alappuzha-born Manas Madhu, Jyoti Rajguru, and Gautam Raghuraman, Beyond Snacks garnered attention with their pitch during the Shark Tank presentation in December 2022. The company plans to use the newly acquired funds to expand into more markets as well as enhance their supply chain and develop innovative products.

Gloomy AI forecast from WEF

The latest job market survey from the World Economic Forum is not for the faint-hearted, especially if you’re about to enter the job market. It forecasts that the integration of AI will lead to job reductions from 2025 to 2030. Positions such as postal service clerks, executive secretaries, and payroll clerks are expected to experience the most significant declines, while graphic designers and legal secretaries are listed for the first time among the fastest-declining job roles. Approximately 70 percent of companies are looking to hire employees with expertise in AI tool design and development, while 62 percent aim to recruit individuals capable of effectively interacting with AI technologies, reports Data Economy.

AI is not a comrade

Hollywood is feeling nervous about AI, as writers, actors, and technicians fear being replaced by algorithms. They have even more reasons to worry, as a Polish biopic about Russian President Vladimir Putin has been released, starring an AI-generated version of the leader. Actor Slawomir Sobala portrayed the role, and director Patryk Vega then superimposed Putin’s face onto the film. The trailer showcases Putin’s rise to power, and some scenes, such as one where he is depicted in an adult diaper and shivering, are bound to provoke the Kremlin. We wonder if we’ll see more biopics like this soon.