Project Anant: Orchids’ mission to build future space champions takes off from Dharwad

Orchids International School recently pulled the wraps off one of its most ambitious school space programs - called Project Anant: Learning Without Limits - in Dharwad, Karnataka. The initiative was launched alongside state-of-the-art ‘Skills Labs’ in the city. Known across India for its sophisticated STEM-based curriculum that encourages students to explore astronomy and robotics on a deeper level, Orchids’ Project Anant is a structured, future-focused space education initiative designed to introduce students to real-world satellite science, space missions and advanced systems thinking.

Orchids’ Dharwad campus stood witness to the launch of the special program in the presence of eminent space scientist and former Chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), AS Kiran Kumar. It marked a significant moment for students, teachers and the larger science enthusiast community. Additionally the new ‘Skills Labs’ at Orchids Dharwad promises a full-scale astronomy and space science immersion for students - turning the campus into a living, learning ecosystem for science, technology and exploration.

Take a tour of the Orchids Hubli-Dharwad branches.

Why schools must sow seeds for space science
In recent years, ISRO’s globally-acclaimed Chandrayaan programme, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ visit to India following her return from the International Space Station and the discovery of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS have piqued a lot of curiosity among students and young space enthusiasts about the world of astronomy. Thus, schools across the nation have a significant role to play channeling the dreams of future astronauts into reality. Capturing the pulse of the moment, Orchids believes that space literacy can no longer be postponed until higher education.
As satellites quietly power everyday life - from communication and navigation to climate monitoring and disaster response - the future will belong to those who understand complex systems early and can connect theory with real-world application. Project Anant is Orchids’ response to this belief. Rather than treating space science as an abstract or aspirational topic, the program places students inside a real satellite mission, enabling them to understand how space systems are designed, built, launched, and studied - through a structured academic framework.
Giving an insight into the philosophy behind Project Anant, Naresh Ramamurthy - Head of Education at Orchids, said, “We often underestimate what school students are capable of. While space science may appear highly technical, our experience shows that when learning is structured well, students rise to the challenge. At Orchids, we push students to be strong academic achievers while also helping them develop critical thinking, research orientation and real-world skills - something many schools across India are still working towards.”

Also read: Tracing Orchids’ journey of nurturing tomorrow’s innovators

Inside Project Anant: It’s rocket science!
At the heart of Project Anant is Orchids Satellite Mission - 1, a school-led satellite payload initiative developed in collaboration with Dhruva Space’s L.E.A.P Mission. The project has been thoughtfully designed as a scaled and inclusive academic journey.

Here’re some quick facts: 

• Nearly 2,000 students across Orchids campuses will engage in the mission through selection processes, presentations, workshops and learning modules related to satellite science and space systems.
• Around 100 students will earn the opportunity to visit the satellite integration facility, where the payload is being built and gain hands-on exposure to real pre-launch processes.
• From this group, 25-30 students will be selected to work closely on the actual mission - participating in post-launch data analysis, research projects and scientific interpretation over the satellite’s operational lifespan.

Handling an actual satellite payload system
The satellite payload system, under Project Anant, carries three scientific instruments, generating real, mission-grade data that students will study and analyse:

• An earth imaging camera to observe land, water, vegetation and urban patterns.
• A compact space X-ray detector to study solar activity and space weather.
• A three-axis magnetometer to measure earth’s magnetic field.

To know about Orchids The International School’s Robotics Curriculum, click here.