Indian Centre for Space Physics

What Indian Centre for Space Physics does

Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP) is a government-aided, autonomous, non-profit research institute founded in 1999 and headquartered in Kolkata, India, with a major optical observatory (IERCOO) at Sitapur in West Medinipur and branch offices in Medinipur, Malda, and Birbhum. The institute conducts research across high-energy astrophysics, ionospheric sciences, optical astronomy, space radiation, instrumentation for space exploration, and astrobiology/astrochemistry, and is recognized by Calcutta University and the University of Gour Banga as a degree-granting body for PhD programs.

ICSP develops proprietary space-qualified hardware including Si-PIN/CdTe X-ray detectors, NaI(Tl)/CsI scintillator and Poswich detectors, VLF radio receivers with antennas deployed across India, 9DOF IMU attitude measurement systems, and the RT-2 hard X-ray telescope payload flown on the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite in 2009. The institute has conducted 114+ Dignity near-space balloon missions since 2011 and operates the largest optical telescope in eastern India (24-inch/0.61m reflector at IERCOO). Research output is anchored by Director Prof. Sandip K. Chakrabarti (top 2% globally per Stanford ranking, 1,047 publications, 57 PhDs supervised).

The institute's revenue mix draws from ISRO and DST project grants (primary), educational programs (3-year Pre-PhD Diploma at INR 50,000/year, eleven certificate courses priced INR 3,000-20,000), public-facing commercial offerings including the Museum of Astronomy and Space Science (INR 100 entry, group passes with up to 40% discounts, INR 8,000 "Friends of Museum" annual coupon), night sky watching programs (INR 150-750 per person), 14-day observatory courses (INR 20,000), and Chandra Guest House accommodation (INR 500-2,000 per day). Donations are Section 80G tax-exempt. GTM is event- and community-driven via YATI3 conferences, District-wise Space Science Symposia, telescope making workshops, and telescope observation sessions across West Bengal.

Name

Indian Centre for Space Physics

Legal name

Indian Centre for Space Physics

Website

https://csp.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Indian Centre for Space Physics is a government-aided non-profit research institute in Kolkata, India, conducting astronomy, astrophysics, and space physics research; developing proprietary X-ray detectors, VLF receivers, and balloon-borne instruments; and training PhD students recognized by Calcutta University.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Science Research and Astronomy Education

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

Keywords

• Space physics research
• Astronomy education
• Balloon-borne experiments
• X-ray detector instrumentation
• Observatory facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Kolkata

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Educational Programs: Pre-PhD diploma courses (INR 50,000/year), certificate courses (INR 3,000-20,000), and research fellowship positions funded through various government schemes (CSIR NET, INSPIRE, UGC).
2. Museum Entry Fees: Museum of Astronomy and Space Science entry passes sold at INR 100 per entry. Group passes available at 100+, 250+, 500+ with 20-40% discounts. 'Friends of Museum' coupon at INR 8,000 for 100 entry passes.
3. Observation Programs: Night sky watching programs ranging from INR 150-750 per person depending on services included. 14-day course visits at INR 20,000 per person.
4. Guest House Accommodation: Chandra Guest House rooms priced from INR 500-1,500 per day depending on room type and duration of stay. AC rooms charged at 20% additional.
5. Research Project Funding: Majority of research funding comes from projects with National and International agencies. Major projects from ISRO and DST.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Indian Centre for Space Physics is a premier research institute that conducts research in astronomy, astrophysics, and space science while offering educational programs (certificate courses and Pre-PhD Diploma), hands-on training, and public outreach. It develops proprietary space instruments including X-ray detectors, VLF receivers, and optical telescopes, and operates balloon-borne near-space exploration missions, an optical observatory with the largest telescope in eastern India, and the first astronomy and space science museum in the Indian subcontinent.

Product overview

Indian Centre for Space Physics is a premier research institute offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and research facilities in astronomy, astrophysics, and space science. The core offerings include eleven certificate courses (AS100-AS110) covering topics from introductory astronomy to balloon-borne instrumentation and VLF remote sensing; a 3-year Pre-PhD Diploma in six specializations; and hands-on programs like Night Sky Watching using the largest telescope in eastern India. Supporting infrastructure includes the Museum of Astronomy and Space Science (first in the Indian subcontinent), Telescope Making Workshops, and the IERCOO observatory at Sitapur. Research capabilities span balloon-borne near-space exploration (Dignity missions 11-114+), the RT-2 hard X-ray telescope on the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite, VLF instrumentation, and optical observation facilities. The institute also operates the Chandra Guest House for visiting researchers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Museum of Astronomy and Space Science: First astronomy and space science museum in the Indian subcontinent with over 1000 exhibits including Apollo 11 lunar module, rocks from Moon and Mars, meteorites, and signed photographs of astronauts
• IERCOO

Products and services

• Certificate Courses (AS100-AS110) Eleven certificate courses covering astronomy, astrophysics, and space science topics including Gateway to the Universe (AS100, INR 3,000), Optical Astronomy (AS102, INR 20,000), Relativistic Astrophysics (AS103), Space Weather (AS104, INR 8,000), Space Instruments Development (AS106, INR 6,000), Science of Rockets (AS107, INR 5,000), General Theory of Relativity (AS108, INR 5,500), Balloon-borne Instrumentation (AS109, INR 4,000), and VLF Radio Wave Remote Sensing (AS110, INR 15,000). Designed for high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate students seeking structured space science education.
• Pre-PhD Diploma in Astrophysics and Space Science A 3-year diploma program at INR 50,000 per year providing hands-on research experience in astrophysics, astronomy, and space science. Includes six specializations: High Energy Astrophysics, Optical Astronomy, Space and Ionospheric Sciences, Theoretical Modeling, Balloon-Borne Experiments, and Astrobiology/Astrochemistry. Includes certificate, observatory tours, and research facility access.
• Night Sky Watching Programme Educational observation sessions using the 24-inch telescope (largest in eastern India) at IERCOO observatory in Sitapur, West Medinipur. Offers tiered programs: basic (INR 150), with meals (INR 600), with meals and accommodation (INR 750), and a 14-day course at INR 20,000 per person. Designed for colleges, universities, and groups.
• Museum of Astronomy and Space Science First dedicated astronomy and space science museum in the Indian subcontinent with over 1,000 exhibits including Apollo 11 lunar module, rocks from Moon and Mars, meteorites, and autographed photographs of astronauts. Single entry INR 100, with group discounts of 20-40% for 100-500+ passes and an annual 'Friends of Museum' coupon at INR 8,000 for 100 entries. Open daily except Wednesday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
• Telescope Making Workshop Educational workshop teaching students to build telescopes, part of ICSP's district-wise Space Science Symposia program. Conducted for school students across various districts of West Bengal and beyond.
• Dignity Near Space Exploration Programme Balloon-borne scientific missions (Dignity 11 through 114+) launched from various locations to study cosmic rays, X-rays, muons, and ionospheric phenomena at altitudes up to 40 km. ICSP has conducted over 114 Dignity near-space exploration balloon missions since 2011.
• Chandra Guest House Accommodation On-campus accommodation facility with single and double rooms (Non-AC and AC), conference hall, CCTV surveillance, and free WiFi for visiting scientists, researchers, and conference attendees. Pricing ranges from INR 500-1,500 per day depending on room type and duration of stay, with weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly discounts available.
• AS105 - Observational Projects at Observatory Two-week observatory-based program at INR 20,000 per person including fee, certificate, food, and accommodation at the observatory. Designed for 10-40 students per batch with hands-on observational astronomy projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 scientific publications from Director alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Srikrishna College BagulaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for academic collaboration in space science and astronomy education. Allows for student exchanges, joint research activities, and collaborative programs between ICSP and the college.
• Anchor University Lagos (AUL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational MoU for collaboration in space physics research and education. Enables cross-border academic cooperation and knowledge sharing in astronomy and astrophysics.
• Department of Physics, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Adamas UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for joint research and student training programs in physics and space science. Facilitates collaborative projects and faculty exchanges.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor project funding from ISRO. ICSP develops instruments for space missions including RT-2 experiment on CORONAS-PHOTON satellite. Active involvement in Indian space program.
• Calcutta UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSP is recognized by Calcutta University for PhD programs. Students can earn degrees from Calcutta University through research conducted at ICSP.
• University of Gour BangacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSP is recognized as an autonomous body by University of Gour Banga for conducting research and awarding degrees.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI): STScI operates Hubble/James Webb science operations and is a globally recognized space astronomy institute combining research, education, and public outreach (museum/visitor programs). Comparable to ICSP for the combination of space instrument heritage, PhD/postdoc training, and public science engagement via its visitor center.
• Max Planck Institute for Astronomy: MPIA is a leading global astronomy research institute combining instrumentation, observational programs, and graduate training. Comparable to ICSP's combined telescope/observatory operations, instrument R&D, and academic programs, though at substantially greater scale and international footprint.
• Raman Research Institute (RRI): RRI is a DST-funded autonomous research institute in Bangalore covering astronomy, astrophysics, and instrumentation. Comparable to ICSP in funding structure, autonomy, and PhD training model, though it operates at a larger scale and broader scope.
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) - Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics: TIFR operates India's largest balloon-launch facility (Hyderabad) and runs an extensive astrophysics research program with substantial government backing. It is a larger, more established incumbent comparable to ICSP's research scope and balloon heritage but with a much broader institutional portfolio.

Direct peers

• Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA): IIA is a leading Indian astronomy and astrophysics research institute operating major optical observatories and developing space instrumentation. It mirrors ICSP's research areas (optical astronomy, instrumentation), academic structure (PhD programs), and ISRO-funded project base.
• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES): ARIES is an autonomous institute under DST running optical telescopes and conducting space/atmospheric research with active PhD programs. It is highly comparable to ICSP's IERCOO observatory, including telescope operations, VLF/ionospheric studies, and government-funded astrophysics research.
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL): PRL is a premier autonomous research laboratory under India's Department of Space focused on space and atmospheric sciences, with strong balloon and satellite instrumentation heritage (e.g., Chaanakya-2 X-ray payloads). It is directly comparable to ICSP in mission: in-house instrument development, government-funded astrophysics research, and PhD training in space physics.
• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA): IUCAA is a national centre for astronomy and astrophysics supporting university researchers with instrumentation programs (including space payloads). It is comparable to ICSP as a government-aided autonomous research institute offering PhD pathways, instrumentation development, and national-level academic coordination.

Emerging players

• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST): IIST is a deemed university under India's Department of Space offering undergraduate and postgraduate space science programs, including payloads and instrumentation tracks. It overlaps ICSP in space-science education and instrumentation development, with a stronger degree-granting academic structure.

Regional players

• Birla Planetarium (Kolkata) / Nehru Planetarium: Major Indian planetariums operating science outreach programs and astronomical exhibits targeting the general public and school groups. They are most directly comparable to ICSP's Museum of Astronomy and Space Science in terms of public outreach focus, exhibit-driven astronomy engagement, and tiered ticket pricing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Indian Centre for Space Physics