Authorisation of 2 space start-ups marks beginning of private space sector launches in India

PTI

Bengaluru, June 27

The Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has started authorising Indian private firms, marking the beginning of private space sector launches in India. 

IN-SPACe is an autonomous, single window nodal agency; formed to promote, authorise, monitor and supervise the space activities of Non-Governmental Private Entities in India.

Dhruva Space Private Limited, Hyderabad and Digantara Research and Technologies Private Limited, Bengaluru, were authorised by IN-SPACe on June 24 to launch their payloads.

Dhruva Space’s ‘Dhruva Space Satellite Orbital Deployer’, a technology demonstration payload, and Digantara’s ROBust Integrating Proton Fluence Meter, a proton dosimeter payload, were authorised, an IN-SPACe statement said on Monday.

The payloads would fly onboard PSLV Orbital Experimental Module of PSLV-C53 scheduled to be launched on June 30.

“The first two launch authorisations issued by IN-SPACe is an important milestone and marks the beginning of private space sector launches in India,” said IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka.

Dhruva Space is a space technology start-up focused on building full-stack space engineering solutions, involved in building application-agnostic satellite platforms.

Digantara research and technologies is engaged in development of end-to-end solutions focused on safe and sustainable space operations through its Space Situational Awareness sensor network, platform and data products.

According to Goenka, Digantara will launch a weather satellite which will be used for weather monitoring from space using their patented technology.

Dhruva Space, he said, will test its satellite deployer technology which in future can be deployed for international customers.

“This is just the start of the exciting times ahead for the Indian space sector. IN-SPACe is delighted to facilitate private sector’s participation in this journey,” Goenka added.

Dhruva Space CEO Sanjay Nekkanti said the PSLV C53 mission is a key milestone in the journey of his start-up.

“The mission will demonstrate the in-house developed CubeSat deployers ahead of the launch of our satellite missions, Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2, onboard the PSLV C54 mission. This will also enable Dhruva Space to support international clients with CubeSat deployers, integration and launch Services,” he said.

“To realise Digantara’s goal of delivering accurate orbital insights to ensure continued safe space operations, support from the government will play a key role in accelerating innovations. This launch serves as an excellent illustration of how such support hastens innovation,” CEO and Co-founder Digantara, Anirudha N Sharma said.