Students visit ISTRAC’s Mission Operations Complex, interact with former ISRO Chairman A. S. Kiran Kumar and gain insights into landmark missions including Chandrayaan-3, NISAR and SpaDeX
India, 17th October 2026: Sapphire International School learners received a first-hand glimpse into India’s space exploration ecosystem during an educational visit to the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Peenya, Bengaluru.
Designed to take learning beyond the classroom, the visit provided students with an opportunity to understand how complex space missions are planned, monitored and operated, while exposing them to the science, technology and human ingenuity behind some of India’s landmark achievements in space exploration.
A key highlight of the visit was an interaction with Shri A. S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO and Former Secretary, Department of Space, who engaged with the learners on India’s journey in space science and technology, the evolution of the country’s space programme and the possibilities that lie ahead for young minds interested in STEM and space exploration.
The learners also interacted with Mr. B. Sankar Madaswamy, Scientist/Engineer-SG and Division Head, HRLD, ISTRAC, gaining insights into the technical and operational dimensions of India’s space missions.
As part of the visit, the students toured the Mission Control Room (MCR) and MOX-2, gaining an understanding of mission operations and satellite monitoring. They also explored satellite models and the Moon Globe area, bringing concepts from their classrooms to life through direct exposure to real-world scientific and technological environments.
The sessions also introduced learners to several significant Indian space missions, including Chandrayaan-3, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), NISAR and SpaDeX. The exposure enabled students to understand not only the scientific objectives of these missions but also the scale of innovation, precision, collaboration and technology required to execute complex space programmes.
Mr. Saurabh Sehgal, Director, Sapphire International School, said:
“Education becomes truly transformative when learners are able to see, experience and engage with the ideas they encounter in the classroom. The visit to ISRO gave our students a rare opportunity to step into the world of mission operations and witness how science, technology and human curiosity come together to achieve extraordinary outcomes. More importantly, it encouraged them to ask questions, think beyond conventional boundaries and see STEM not simply as a subject, but as a pathway to solving some of the most complex challenges of the future.”
The visit reflects Sapphire International School’s emphasis on experiential, real-world and future-ready learning, creating opportunities for learners to connect academic concepts with applications beyond the classroom. The School’s approach has also received recognition across leading education platforms in 2026. At the FICCI ARISE Awards, Sapphire’s Noida campus was recognised as the Winner in Real World Skills, while its Crossings campus was recognised as the Winner in Experiential Learning, with the awards being presented across 12 categories among participating schools from across India. The School was also ranked #3 across Noida and Ghaziabad in the Times Now Survey & Awards 2026 and received the Award for Excellence in Real-World Learning & Career Readiness.
Further recognition came from the Cfore School Excellence Awards 2026, where Sapphire International School, Noida secured 15th Rank in Noida and 68th Rank in Delhi NCR in the Best Day Co-Ed Schools category. Mr. Saurabh Sehgal was also invited as a speaker at the platform to share his perspective on “Reimagining K–12 Education in the Age of AI.” At the North India School Merit Awards 2026 by EducationToday, the School was recognised as the Best School under the category ‘Exemplary Implementation of Digital Learning Tools’,
Together, these recognitions reflect Sapphire International School’s continuing focus on real-world learning, experiential education, digital innovation and preparing learners for an evolving future—an approach that seeks to equip students not only with knowledge, but also with the curiosity, confidence and skills to apply it meaningfully.
The visit was attended by Mr. Saurabh Sehgal, Director, Ms. Ekta Soni, Head of School, Crossings Republik, Ms. Shraddha Sarkar, Teacher, along with 19 learners from Sapphire International School.
About Sapphire International School
Sapphire International School is committed to creating a learning environment that combines academic excellence with experiential learning, innovation and holistic development. The School focuses on equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and mindset required to navigate a rapidly evolving world, with particular emphasis on curiosity, critical thinking, creativity and future-ready capabilities.
