New Delhi: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the single window clearing agency for all space activities from India has selected three new space startups from India to develop indigenous, modular, small satellite buses for hosted payload missions. Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space, that provides full-stack services including satellite buses, deployers and ground stations, while Ahmedabad-based Azista Space has developed its own satellite bus, and provides satellite subsystems as well as Earth observation payloads along with operational support. Bengaluru-based Astrome has been incubated by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and specialises in millimeter-wave wireless communication technology for terrestrial and satellite communications networks.
In-Space realised that a number of startups across the country have initiated the development of space systems, but required affordable and reliable access to space to demonstrate the technology and gain flight heritage to attract customers. A cost-effective way of doing this is through hosted payload services, allowing multiple users to share a single platform. For this reason, IN-SPACe announced the Satellite Bus as a Service as an initiative to provide a small satellite bus for hosted payloads, back in April last year.
Boosting India’s Space Programme
Dhruva Space has said in a statement, “This programme strengthens India’s Space programme by enabling faster and more flexible in-orbit demonstration of new technologies, accelerating the next phase of a globally competitive, private-sector-led ecosystem. We at Dhruva Space are contributing to this initiative through our satellite platform capabilities, whilst complementing our hosted payload offering, LEAP, and ultimately extending these capabilities to a new and upcoming microsatellite platform, P-Nova.”
Azista Space said in a statement, “Under the program, Azista Space will deliver a multi-mission satellite platform capable of hosting multiple payloads for both Indian and international customers, enabling in-orbit demonstrations and commercial missions. Selection under the SbaaS grant reinforces Azista Space’s technical excellence and competitive strength, emerging successful among multiple contenders. We remain committed to advancing Make-in-India space technologies and strengthening India’s position in the global space economy.”