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Imagine a rocket powered by a 3D-printed engine. Many of you may be thinking, which Western country was able to achieve this? As you go further in this article, you will be proud to know that it is India with its ambitious journey into space exploration. The Aerospace Industry is not just defined by the remarkable achievements of ISRO but also by the growing influence of private sector players. TATA IIS is an aspiring premier institute that aims to provide a trained, professional workforce to get on the manufacturing floor and drive innovation in multiple sectors, including space technologies.
In the sections ahead, we explore how India’s space ambitions are creating exciting opportunities for young professionals and how institutes like TATA IIS are helping them reach for the stars.
During the Cold War era, the world watched space exploration become a new frontier in the rivalry between the superpowers – the USSR and the USA. Few could have imagined that one day, India would emerge as an innovator in space exploration, standing shoulder to shoulder with these giants. In today’s landscape, ISRO continues to lead India’s space exploration. Still, the advent of private players is rapidly becoming integral to the nation’s space journey. Companies such as Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Wipro 3D, Godrej Aerospace, and INTECH Additive Solutions are contributing heavily to the development of space technologies. These players work together with ISRO, utilising advanced manufacturing techniques to improve rocket components, satellite systems, and propulsion technology.
A Hyderabad-based company specialises in high-precision components critical for ISRO’s space missions. CNC Technics partnered with ISRO in 2008 to develop cryogenic fuel lines. Their contributions were vital in ISRO’s PSLV-C37 and Chandrayaan-3 missions.
The company excels in cryogenic fuel lines, filament winding, and precision machining. These technologies meet the rigorous demands of space applications. CNC Technics plans to develop propulsion components and support the Gaganyaan mission. They aim to expand their role in international space collaborations.
As these companies leverage new technologies in their manufacturing processes, they require an expert workforce in those technologies.
Precision, performance and structure play a significant role in space exploration. CNC machines have become invaluable assets in manufacturing high-precision components for aerospace manufacturers such as Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Godrej Aerospace, and Wipro 3D from India. These CNC machines produce rocket components, satellite parts, and aerospace assemblies with unparalleled accuracy.
Skyroot Aerospace is a specialist in CNC machining technology to produce precision parts for the Vikram series of launch vehicles; engine cavity housings, structural assemblies, and interfaces must meet stringent tolerance requirements for successful space missions; these specifications can only be met through precision CNC manufacturing technology. Hence, the requirement for CNC operators has increasingly been reported in the aerospace sector over the years since the sector has scaled up full throttle.
CNC machining is frequently combined with Additive Manufacturing (AM) to refine 3D-printed components. While AM allows rapid prototyping and the creation of complex geometries, CNC machining provides final refinement to meet compliance and specifications. Companies such as Agnikul Cosmos and Godrej Aerospace employ this combined production approach to ensure components are space-grade, innovative and precise enough for installation into critical aerospace systems.
Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, has revolutionized the aerospace and space exploration industries by making complex parts more quickly and economically. Indian firms like Wipro 3D, Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Amace Solutions are at the forefront of using this technique to fabricate rocket parts, propulsion system components, and mission-specific hardware with 3D printing technology.
Skyroot Aerospace, for instance, has leveraged 3D printing technology to build and test its Dhawan-II cryogenic engine for launch vehicles. This form of manufacturing allows Skyroot to produce lightweight yet high-strength components that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to create using traditional means, thus speeding up development processes for space missions.
Agnikul Cosmos has made considerable advancements in 3D printing technology with its Agnilet engine – the world’s first single-piece, fully 3D-printed rocket engine. This breakthrough allows Agnikul Cosmos to eliminate hundreds of individual parts in favour of one streamlined component, resulting in a lighter, more reliable, cost-effective engine design.
On May 30, 2025, Agnikul Cosmos, an IIT Madras-incubated startup, successfully launched the world’s first rocket powered by a single-piece, fully 3D-printed engine from Sriharikota. The Agnilet engine is a semi-cryogenic engine, entirely 3D-printed as a single unit, eliminating the need for joints and welds.
This is the first time globally that a rocket has flown with a single-piece 3D-printed engine. The engine can be manufactured in about 75 hours, compared to 10–12 weeks with traditional methods. The launch demonstrates India’s private sector’s capability and boosts global confidence in Indian space technology.
Additive manufacturing’s influence isn’t limited to engines alone. Wipro 3D collaborated with ISRO to use metal 3D printing techniques for the production of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Not only did this reduce material waste, but it also streamlined the production process, showing how additive manufacturing can use resources efficiently while still offering precision.
Companies like Amace Solutions have taken additive manufacturing further by producing highly customised mission-critical hardware. For example, they 3D printed the National Emblem attached to ISRO’s Pragyaan Rover for use during the Chandrayaan-3 mission, demonstrating its ability to create unique parts tailored to mission requirements.
Advanced welding techniques are key for joining aerospace components that must withstand extreme conditions in space. Indian space companies have relied on technologies such as Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Friction Welding, Laser Welding, and Electron Beam Welding to construct strong and secure joints in rocket engines, boosters, and structural assemblies.
Godrej Aerospace, a provider of rocket engines and boosters to ISRO, utilises both TIG and MIG welding techniques for assembling large, high-strength aerospace structures. Both methods offer precise assembly with extreme durability, essential when manufacturing components designed to withstand mechanical loads and extreme temperatures.
Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos employ Friction Welding as an effective method for joining dissimilar materials, especially engine and structural assemblies. This process is especially advantageous when used with high-strength alloys commonly found in rocket building. By employing friction welding techniques, these companies can ensure strong, secure joints critical for the performance and safety of space exploration systems.
TATA IIS has a supportive role in India’s space exploration ambitions by providing trained workforces for high-precision manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and advanced welding services. These capabilities are applicable across multiple industries, including aerospace industries.
By focusing on the development of next-generation manufacturing skills, TATA IIS contributes to the growth of India’s industrial base, supporting innovation and competitiveness. The institute’s training programs help build a talent pool that can support sectors like space technology and others that require precision engineering.
India’s space exploration program has been going through turbulence, driving transformation by adopting advanced techniques like CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and welding. TATA IIS supports this growth by training a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern industry, including sectors like aerospace.
By working closely with both private and public sector partners, TATA IIS contributes to building a strong talent pool equipped with expertise in advanced manufacturing. The institute’s focus on skill development helps strengthen India’s broader industrial capabilities.
TATA IIS offers industry-aligned training in advanced manufacturing, additive technologies, and welding for aerospace. It will surely supplement the capacity of public undertakings and private players with essential technical expertise for advanced defence manufacturing.
TATA IIS offers hands-on experience in 7 courses that include: CNC machining, 3D printing, Arc welding, industrial automation, Robotics automation, EV battery specialist and EV 2/3- wheeler service specialist, equipping students with the precision skills needed for smart and advanced manufacturing.
One needs to apply for the choice of location’s website – IIS Mumbai, IIS Ahmedabad, after which there will be an entrance test, and if you succeed, your admission gets confirmed by paying the minimal admission fees.
Indian Institute of Skills is managed by TATA IIS, and it has two campuses. One is IIS Ahmedabad, and the other is IIS Mumbai. Both are functioning at full throttle now with a complete laboratory setup with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
Yes, dedicated support is given to the trainees who have completed their coursework successfully. Check out the website for more information on placements.
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Inspired by the tree of knowledge, this logo implies a tree with interspersing dots representing various skills that the institute offers, making it a wholesome skilful tree. The tree’s bark represents individuals with different mindsets coming together with a common purpose of growth. Lastly, one can subtly see the acronym IIS which also represents students as figurines.
To date, we have trained around 650 students. Our alumni are working with notable companies, such as Torrent Power, Powellite Electricals, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, and L&T. . Equipped with holistic technical and business skills, many alumni have also chosen the path of entrepreneurship to realise their dreams.
We firmly believe in inclusion. Identifying segments that need us the most is one of our goals. We are mindful of reaching the tribals and marginalised and ensuring maximum women participation.
Learning from the industry is at our core. Our industry partners are deeply involved, right from course design and delivery to recruitment. Our current partners include Fronius, Universal Robots, SMC, Phillips Machine Tools, Multivista, Fanuc, MIR, Markforged, Schneider Electric, Lincoln Welders, Hexagon, Formlabs, ABB, Festo, Ather, Tata Motors, Thermax, Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Auto Ltd., Carraro, Marriott, Indian Accent, Taj, Lollo Rosso, Tomato’s, Ramada by Wyndham, Novotel, La Milano Pizzeria, Renaissance Hotels, The Fern, Tatr, IFEA, The Job Plus, Happy Faces, Sewa.
The campus is situated on a 4.17-acre land parcel at Chunabhatti inside the National Skill Training Institute campus in the state of Maharashtra. The first phase of development comprises a 22,500-square-foot facility housing advanced manufacturing and electric vehicle laboratories. The facility also includes classrooms and advanced computer laboratories for training in allied areas, providing trainees with a real-world environment akin to working in the manufacturing industry. It is equipped to train approximately 190 students at a time.
Spanning over 2.5 lakh square feet, the campus features infrastructure that includes training facilities, hostels, and dedicated spaces for student activities, supporting comprehensive learning and growth.
