Airspace is bringing out yet another national edition to reach out to aerospace professionals spread across India. This edition focuses on Space Exploration in remembrance of the launch of Sputnik 50 years ago. Department's annual event Zephyr held on October 6, 2007, was a major milestone in the history of the department. Eminent persons who were in campus for Zephyr have had an inspiring and lasting effect on our students. The Schools Outreach programme by Udaan and the excitement whipped up by our undergrads through the IITB Student Satellite project are examples. You can read about all that in this issue of Airspace.

Each edition of Airspace brings you an eminent aviation personality in conversation with our students. This issue brings you Dr BN Suresh, Director, IIST, Trivandrum (He as the Director, VSSC when our students spoke to him). Highlights of department's achievements since the last edition of Airspace are many; Prof. H.H. Mathur Excellence Award in Applied Sciences for Prof Naik, IRCC Research Paper Award and IRCC Young Investigator Award both to Prof Sanjay Bhat, first prize at the National Micro Aerial Vehicle Competition MiCAV-2008 to Prof Arya's team, Prof Mahulikar's ideas on IR-suppressor that adorned the Armed Light Helicopter, a new Elsevier book on Propulsion by Prof Bhaskar Roy, the first and second prizes for best Ph.D thesis awarded by SAFRAN coming to Prof Sudarshan and Prof Pradeep, the list goes on.

On behalf of staff, students and faculty of the department, I extend an invitation to all our alumni to visit us during our Golden Jubilee year.

Happy New Year to all readers of Airspace.

Prof. P. Mujumdar

Contact: mujumdar[at]aero.iitb.ac.in