5 days ago
India's Dhruva Space to launch Leap-1 satellite mission aboard SpaceX Falcon-9
Dhruva Space, budding space tech startup from India, is set to launch its first commercial satellite mission, LEAP-1, marking a pivotal transition from technology demonstrations to customer-driven satellite mission, scheduled aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 in Q3 2025, exemplifies significant Indo-Australian collaboration with growing US support, underlining Dhruva Space's expanding global commercial utilises Dhruva Space's indigenously developed P-30 satellite platform, successfully space-qualified during the LEAP-TD mission on ISRO's PSLV-C58 in January
The mission carries two distinct payloads: Akula Tech's Nexus-01, featuring an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) module, and Esper Satellites' OTR-2 mission, equipped with a cutting-edge hyperspectral imager. This payload fusion enhances capabilities across applications including defense, disaster response, agriculture, mining, and environmental Tech's AI module promises unprecedented on-orbit intelligence with onboard data processing and AI/ML model re-training capabilities for rapid, near-real-time insights. Nexus-01's AI flexibly supports applications such as fire detection and spectral analysis, continuously improving via live sensor data retraining. Meanwhile, Esper Satellites' hyperspectral imager delivers spectrally rich Earth observation data through their EarthTones API, setting a new standard in remote sensing Space complements the mission with Ground Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS) and its proprietary Integrated Space Operations & Command Suite (ISOCS) for seamless real-time mission management and data mission patch symbolises the synergy of Indo-Australian-American collaboration, integrating motifs representing AI, hyperspectral Earth observation, and space from all partners highlight LEAP-1 as a landmark for innovation and cost-effective deployment in Space's CEO Sanjay Nekkanti emphasised the mission's role in scaling commercial payload hosting and fostering international space business partnerships, notably between India and represents a strategic milestone that positions Dhruva Space at the forefront of global commercial satellite operations, marrying indigenous Indian technology with international collaboration to serve diverse space applications endeavour firmly establishes Dhruva Space's commitment to pioneering full-stack hosted payload solutions with transformative impact on Earth and beyond.- EndsMust Watch
