Hands-On Satellite Communication Workshops in Mumbai
Stop reading about space and start communicating with it. Join our two-day intensive workshops where you track the ISS live and decode real satellite data, guided by retired ISRO experts.
On Day 2, we focus on advanced applications. This video shows participants at our St. Xavier's workshop installing software, configuring SDR hardware, and receiving live data from Earth observation satellites. You will learn to decode these signals into visible weather images and explore digital communication modes like SSTV and PSK.
Day 1 lays the foundation for your journey into space communication. Here, you can see participants learning the core principles of satellite orbits and frequencies. The session includes a practical, real-time tracking of the International Space Station as it passes overhead, guided personally by our expert instructor.
About Hands-On Workshop Experience
You don't need an engineering degree to successfully decode a live weather image from space. We provide all the hardware—including the SDR dongles, LNA signal boosters, and pre-loaded laptops—so you can dive straight into the practical work. It is a 14-hour intensive, spread over one weekend, where you will track the ISS live and walk away with a certificate signed by a retired ISRO scientist who has worked on real lunar missions.
What happens in our 14-hour deep dive
This is not a lecture series. Over two days, you move from understanding orbital mechanics to interpreting raw space signals.
Day 1: The Basics of Space Communication We start with the 'why' and 'how'. You will learn about satellite orbits, frequency management, and payload systems. You’ll get hands-on with antenna orientation and polarization, tracking the International Space Station (ISS) in real-time as it passes over Navi Mumbai.
Day 2: Signal Decoding & Data This is where the magic happens. You’ll configure Software Defined Radio (SDR) hardware, set up the tracking software, and receive live data streams. We walk you through capturing signals from NOAA Earth observation satellites and decoding them into actual weather images. We also cover digital modes like SSTV (Slow Scan TV) and PSK, giving you a complete picture of how ground stations work.
Why an ISRO-led approach?
We aren't just teaching textbook theory. Because our sessions are led by retired scientists like Shri B. A. Subramani, you get context you won't find in a manual. You hear the stories behind missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, and get answers to technical questions about how amateur radio ground stations are built and maintained.
Who should join?
Curiosity is the only prerequisite. We have welcomed everyone from 12-year-old students to a 78-year-old space enthusiast. Whether you are a college student looking to build a career in aerospace or a hobbyist wanting to set up a home ground station, this workshop provides the tools and the expert mentorship to make it happen. Kits are shared in small groups (1 kit per 3-5 participants) to ensure everyone gets enough hands-on time.
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