Department of SPASE, IIT Kanpur

Hello, I'm Kundan

Junior Technician | Space & Astronomical Instrumentation

Dedicated technical professional at the Department of Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering (SPASE), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK). Specializing in advanced laboratory systems, experimental test-benches, precision payload assembly, sensor calibration, and instrumentation operations.

Explore Labs & Equipment Contact Me
0+ Years Technical Experience
0+ Lab Systems Maintained
0+ Research Experiments Supported
IIT Kanpur SPASE Dept
Jr. Technician Lab Operations
About Me

Enabling High-Precision Space Science & Engineering

Supporting academic excellence and frontline research at India's premier technological institute.

My Role at SPASE, IITK

As a Junior Technician in the Department of Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering at IIT Kanpur, I play an integral role in sustaining day-to-day experimental workflows, maintaining cutting-edge diagnostic equipment, and assisting faculty, post-docs, and research scholars in building and testing state-of-the-art space payloads and astrophysics experiments.

My work bridges the gap between theoretical scientific design and physical execution. From ultra-high vacuum systems, optical benches, cleanroom operations, to electronics troubleshooting and environmental testing, I ensure all laboratory infrastructure functions with high reliability, precision, and adherence to safety protocols.

Cleanroom compliance & contamination control
Telescope & optical mount maintenance
High-vacuum & cryogenic test system assistance
Data acquisition (DAQ) & electronics debugging

Quick Profile Overview

  • Full Name: Kundan
  • Designation: Junior Technician
  • Department: SPASE (Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering)
  • Institution: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)
  • Location: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India - 208016
  • Work Domain: Space Labs, Payload Testing & Instrumentation
  • Status: Active Staff Member
Core Competencies

Technical Expertise & Skills

Proficiencies cultivated across laboratory engineering, hardware testing, and space instrumentation.

Space & Astronomical Instrumentation

Hands-on handling, alignment, and testing of opto-mechanical instruments, detectors, and astronomical devices.

Optical Mounts Collimators Spectrometers Telescope Rigs Radiation Sensors

Vacuum & Environmental Testing

Operation and routine maintenance of vacuum test chambers simulating extreme space conditions.

High-Vacuum Pumps Pressure Gauges Leak Detection Thermal Cycling Cryogenics

Electronics & Hardware Diagnostic

PCB fabrication, precision soldering, diagnostic testing, and electronic hardware troubleshooting.

SMD Soldering Oscilloscopes Multimeters Power Supplies ESD Protocols

Mechanical Fabrication & Prototyping

Rapid prototyping, mechanical bench fitting, and customized fixtures for scientific payloads.

3D Printing Bench Lathe & Drill Precision Measuring Custom Fixtures CAD Layouts

Data Acquisition & Lab Automation

Setting up sensor telemetry, interface buses, and assisting automated measurement routines.

DAQ Hardware RS-232 / USB / SPI LabVIEW Rigs Data Logging Python Scripts

Cleanroom & Lab Management

Maintaining ISO certified clean environments, chemical safety, lab inventory, and compliance logs.

ISO Cleanrooms Air Shower SOPs Safety Compliance Asset Register Preventative Maint.
Facilities & Workstations

Laboratories & Systems Supported

Key experimental facilities in the SPASE department where I manage and support technical tasks.

Cleanroom Facility

Space Payload Assembly & Integration Lab

Assisting in payload structural integration, sensor mounting, and cleanliness maintenance under controlled atmospheric conditions.

  • Particle count monitoring & cleanroom logs
  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD) workstation upkeep
  • Clean hardware preparation for vacuum tests
Test & Qualification

Thermal Vacuum & Environmental Chamber

Operating vacuum pumps, monitoring cryogenic traps, and maintaining thermal cycling test setups for space components.

  • Roughing and turbo-molecular pump operations
  • Pressure sensor verification & sealing checks
  • Assisting temperature logging across thermal sensors
Astronomy & Optics

Astronomical Optics & Detector Testbench

Optical alignment, laser beam centering, telescope maintenance, and calibration of sensitive imaging detectors.

  • Optical table vibration isolation management
  • Lens, mirror, and filter maintenance
  • CCD / CMOS detector housing tests
Planetary Science

Planetary Surface & Regolith Simulation Lab

Supporting planetary analogue experiments, sample preparation, and testing geotechnical/spectroscopic tools.

  • Regolith simulant handling & dust chambers
  • Spectral reflectance measurement assistance
  • Precision balance & sample containment
Career Milestones

Professional Responsibilities & Journey

Consistent technical service supporting national space and engineering research missions at IIT Kanpur.

Junior Technician

Dept. of Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering (SPASE)
IIT Kanpur

Serving as a core technical staff member responsible for multi-facility operations, experimental rig setups, student project assistance, and equipment maintenance within the SPASE department.

  • Ensure regular operational readiness of key department testing equipment and experimental stations.
  • Assist faculty, research scholars, and postgraduate students in assembling scientific experimental setups.
  • Carry out preventative maintenance, routine servicing, and inventory logging for high-value research instruments.
  • Implement strict lab safety protocols, cleanroom regulations, and hazardous material management SOPs.
  • Coordinate technical logbooks, service vendor interactions, and emergency system shutdowns.

Lab Infrastructure & Maintenance Specialist

Academic & Research Facilities
Continuous Engagement

Provided frontline engineering support across instrumentation labs, mechanical fabrication workshops, and electronic diagnostic units.

  • Supported custom fixture fabrication, mechanical mounting, and sensor bracket alignment.
  • Maintained calibrated records for pressure sensors, digital storage oscilloscopes, and power supplies.
  • Contributed to setup and demonstration of student laboratory courses in space sciences and engineering.
Work Ethics

Technical Standards & Philosophy

Uncompromising Precision

Space systems operate under unforgiving conditions. Every bolt, solder joint, and sensor wire is secured with meticulous care.

Safety First

Strict observance of high-voltage safety, vacuum integrity, cryogenic handling, and institute laboratory guidelines.

Collaborative Support

Enthusiastically working hand-in-hand with students, research scholars, and professors to realize complex scientific goals.

Get In Touch

Contact & Lab Coordination

Reach out for laboratory coordination, technical inquiries, or institutional collaboration.

Department Address

Department of Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering (SPASE)
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)
Kanpur, UP - 208016, India

Email Enquiries

kundan@iitk.ac.in

Institutional / Department correspondence

Office & Lab Hours

Monday – Friday: 09:00 AM – 05:30 PM IST

Available for scheduled lab runs & experiments

Institute Portal

SPASE Department IIT Kanpur

Send a Message

For lab equipment scheduling, technical collaboration, or maintenance requests.