The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched the newest version of its structural analysis software, Finite Element Analysis of Structures (FEAST) 2025, during the 8th National Finite Element Developers’/FEAST Users’ Meet (NAFED08) at IIT Hyderabad. This event, organized in partnership with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), gathered more than 250 experts from academia, industry, and research institutions to explore the latest developments in finite element-based structural analysis.
What is FEAST and Why is it Important?
FEAST is a finite element analysis (FEA) software created by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). It aims to predict how structures respond to real-world forces such as stress, strain, and temperature changes. Previously, Indian industries and research institutions depended on expensive foreign software for structural analysis. With FEAST, ISRO offers a homegrown, customizable, and affordable solution, which is especially advantageous for students, researchers, and industries.
According to WION News, FEAST is now accessible to academic institutions at a significantly reduced price compared to its international equivalents, allowing Indian institutions to utilize high-quality engineering software without facing substantial financial burdens.
Where is FEAST Used in ISRO’s Major Missions?
FEAST plays a key role in ISRO’s high-profile space missions. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted in his address that the software has been used in structural design analysis for projects such as:
- Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission – India’s ambitious manned space mission.
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station – The proposed Indian space station.
- Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) – The future of India’s launch vehicle technology.
With these upcoming projects, FEAST is set to contribute significantly to India’s growing space and engineering sector.
How Accessible is FEAST for Users?
ISRO has continuously improved FEAST, granting more than 4,000 licenses to various institutions and industries. The software works on both Windows and Linux, making it accessible even on systems with limited hardware.
