India Space Indian Space Program

[Gessler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2049772590751961324

Mission Drishti is the result of a journey that started years before the satellite itself. It is the culmination of years spent building, testing, validating, and evolving Earth observation systems across multiple platforms. The roadmap took us through India’s first DroneSAR, the world’s first HAPS SAR, in-orbit validation through the POEM mission, and years of pushing further with every iteration. Each milestone solved a different piece of the puzzle and came with its own set of unknowns. Different environments. Different operational demands. Different technical constraints. But they all asked the same thing of us: to stay with difficult problems long enough to build what didn’t yet exist.

Today, all of those learnings converge into Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR imaging satellite. None of these milestones existed in isolation. Each one was a step toward a larger goal: building Earth observation systems that are more reliable, more intuitive, and more useful for the world around us.

We’re only beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible. And we’re excited to see where it leads next!

Launch is tomorrow on a SpaceX Falcon 9!

 

[Nilgiri]

Rocket dreams and unicorns: Investors bet on a long and high ride

India's private space sector is experiencing a surge in global investment. Skyroot Aerospace has become the country's first space unicorn, while Agnikul Cosmos is in talks for new funding. These developments signal growing investor confidence. However, companies face long development cycles and...

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[Nilgiri]

GalaxEye's Mission Dristhti OptoSAR satellite successfully separated from SpaceX's Falcon 9. We took a tour of their facility to see what it's like to be at the cutting edge of spacetech.

 

[Gessler]

(News from Pixxel's US-based business operations)​

Pixxel Awarded NRO Strategic Commercial Enhancements Contract for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Capabilities​

​

El Segundo, CA, USA, 05 May 2026: Pixxel, a leader in cutting-edge hyperspectral earth-imaging technology, has been awarded a contract by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Commercial Systems Program Office (CSPO) under the Strategic Commercial Enhancements Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for advanced commercial remote sensing capabilities.

The award supports the US government's effort to evaluate, leverage, and integrate emerging commercial hyperspectral data sources into the agency's expanding remote sensing architecture. Leveraging its on-orbit Firefly constellation, Pixxel will demonstrate that hyperspectral imagery (HSI) capabilities can provide the kind of spectral insight that enables analysts to characterize materials, conditions, and activity that conventional imaging cannot reveal.

Execution will be handled by Pixxel Federal team, led by Allyson Jenkins. "Pixxel is excited for the opportunity to work with the NRO to advance the adoption of space-based hyperspectral data and demonstrate the unique value this phenomenology brings to the intelligence community," said Allyson Jenkins, VP, Public Sector, Pixxel. "Our Federal team is ready to deliver on this important mission and to support the NRO's vision for a more diverse, multi-phenomenology commercial remote sensing architecture."

"Pixxel is thrilled to support the National Reconnaissance Office in integrating commercial hyperspectral data into its framework. We're grateful for the opportunity and look forward to demonstrating our current and future capabilities in service of the United States mission requirements," said Ryan McKinney, Chief Revenue Officer, Pixxel.

With its Firefly constellation now operational, Pixxel is positioned to deliver hyperspectral data and analytics at the speed, scale, and precision demanded by the intelligence and national security communities, reflecting the growing role of commercial hyperspectral imagery as a foundational layer in the U.S. government's next-generation remote sensing architecture.

Pixxel Awarded NRO Strategic Commercial Enhancements Contract for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Capabilities | Pixxel

Pixxel, a planetary intelligence company, has been awarded a contract by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Commercial Systems Program Office (CSPO) under the Strategic Commercial Enhancements Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for advanced commercial remote sensing capabilities.

www.pixxel.space

 

[Gessler]

Dhruva Space Secures INR 105 Crores ($11 Million) RDIF Backing to Develop ‘Project Garud’, Advancing India’s Private-Sector 500 kg-Class Communications Satellite Capability for Constellation-Scale Missions​

[Thursday 14 May 2026] (New Delhi, INDIA) As India accelerates toward becoming a global Space power, the Government of India’s Research, Development & Innovation Fund (RDIF) has extended INR 105 Crores ($11 Million) to Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space for Project Garud, a next-generation flat-pack 500 kg-class communications satellite platform programme designed to enable constellation-scale sovereign and strategic satellite deployments for India and global markets, while strengthening the Nation’s indigenous Space infrastructure capabilities. The 500 kg-class architecture is positioned to bridge the gap between smaller experimental satellites and larger traditional systems, offering an optimised balance of payload capacity, scalability, launch efficiency, and multi-mission adaptability for constellation-scale deployment requirements.

Dhruva Space is among the first batch of companies to be awarded support under the RDIF initiative, marking a significant milestone in India’s push toward building a globally competitive commercial Space ecosystem. The 500 kg-class platform is being developed as a standardised, production-oriented spacecraft capable of supporting diverse applications across Telecommunications, National Security, Earth Observation, and emerging data-driven use cases, while enabling faster deployment cycles and greater manufacturing repeatability.

Through this grant, Dhruva Space will undertake the development and commercialisation of a next-generation satellite architecture designed to address a critical gap in India’s Space ecosystem. The initiative focuses on enabling a standardised, production-oriented system that can support a wide range of applications across Telecommunications, National Security, and emerging data-driven use cases.

Project Garud is structured to transition satellite development from bespoke, mission-specific builds to a repeatable and manufacturing-ready model. The platform introduces a flat-pack architecture that enables efficient launch stacking, faster system integration, and improved deployment timelines, making it suitable for large-scale satellite deployments.

Project Garud is intended to serve as a foundational layer in building India’s next-generation Space manufacturing ecosystem, with long-term applicability across LEO, MEO, and future GEO mission architectures.

Dhruva Space's older P-30 satellite platform in clean room​

The project is aimed at addressing the need for an indigenous, production-ready satellite platform in the 300 - 500 kg class that is optimised for scalable deployment. Existing systems are typically custom-built, resulting in extended development cycles and limited reusability. By establishing a Made-in-India architecture, Project Garud reduces reliance on foreign satellite platforms and subsystems while strengthening supply chain resilience for Communications and Intelligence infrastructure.

As part of the programme, Dhruva Space will also establish the infrastructure, tooling, and industrial processes required for high-volume satellite manufacturing at scale. The roadmap is designed around a production cadence capable of supporting up to 2 satellites per day, enabling an annualised manufacturing potential of approximately 500 - 600 satellites across multiple mission configurations. This manufacturing-first approach is intended to support the growing demand for sovereign and secure satellite constellations globally, while strengthening India’s position as a competitive OEM and spacecraft production hub within the global Space economy.

Commenting on the development, Abhay Egoor, CTO & Co-founder, Dhruva Space, said: “Project Garud represents the industrialisation of satellite manufacturing from India. The global market is rapidly moving toward constellation-scale deployments, but the supply side for reliable, production-ready spacecraft platforms remains constrained. Through RDIF, Dhruva Space is building an indigenous satellite communications platform and manufacturing ecosystem capable of supporting high-volume deployment requirements across communications, intelligence, and strategic applications. Our objectives are to build satellites for our own missions, and to position Dhruva Space as a globally competitive spacecraft OEM and subsystem supplier. The RDI programme strengthens India’s Space technology stack across Platform Architecture, Avionics, Power systems, and scalable manufacturing capabilities. Project Garud also speaks of our long-term vision toward enabling spacecraft solutions for higher orbital regimes, including MEO and GEO-class missions in the future.”

Dhruva Space's upcoming 280,000-sqft satellite mass production facility in Hyderabad, India​

The grant was formalised during the inaugural Enterprise Technology Evaluation (ETE) agreement signing and first fund disbursement under the Government of India’s ₹1 lakh crore ($10.4 billion) RDI Scheme, held on 13 May 2026 in New Delhi. Chaitanya Dora Surapureddy accepted the recognition on behalf of Dhruva Space. The ceremony was conducted in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh; Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood; Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, and Chairperson, Technology Development Board (TDB), Prof. Abhay Karandikar; Chairman - Mission Governing Board, National Quantum Mission Dr. Ajai Chowdhry; and Chairperson, Investment Committee - TDB Padma Shri Dr. Saurabh Srivastava.

The RDI initiative builds on Dhruva Space’s existing work across spacecraft platforms and subsystems, extending proven capabilities from smaller satellite classes toward higher-mass systems and reinforcing its long-term vision of building the OEM backbone for India’s Space economy. The programme is expected to advance multiple subsystems toward flight-qualified readiness, supporting both platform deployment and subsystem-level commercialisation across domestic and global markets.

About Research, Development & Innovation Fund​

The Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Scheme is aimed at encouraging private sector involvement in cutting-edge research and innovation, while accelerating the development of strategic technologies critical to India’s long-term growth and global competitiveness. The initiative focuses on mission-critical sectors including energy security and transition, climate action, Deep Technologies such as Quantum Computing, Robotics and Space, Artificial Intelligence and its applications to Indian challenges, Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, medical technologies, and the digital economy.

Aligned with the national vision of Atmanirbharta, the scheme is also intended to foster self-reliance and economic security by supporting indigenous technologies where domestic capability development is strategically essential. The framework additionally retains flexibility to support emerging sectors and technologies considered vital for public interest and National priorities.

‍About Dhruva Space
​

Dhruva Space Private Limited is a full-stack Space Engineering solutions provider based in Hyderabad, India. The company is active across Space, Launch, and Ground segments and supports Civilian and Defense clients worldwide.

Dhruva Space offers Satellite(s) coupled with Earth Station(s) and Launch Service(s) as an integrated solution or individually as technology solutions to power Space-based applications on Earth and beyond.

Dhruva Space Secures INR 105 Crores RDIF Backing to Develop ‘Project Garud’, Advancing India’s Private-Sector 500 kg-Class Communications Satellite Capability for Constellation-Scale Missions

The RDIF grant positions Dhruva Space among the first five startups in India to receive support under the Government of India’s flagship RDI initiative; the INR 105 Crores support enable the development of an indigenous, modular, and mass-producible 500 kg-class satellite platform designed to...

www.dhruvaspace.com

 

[Nilgiri]

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/why-indian-startups-are-racing-to-build-data-centres-in-space-13920918.html

Real interesting:

Pixxel’s partnership with Sarvam AI is aimed at proving that sovereign AI workloads can run directly in orbit.

The Pathfinder satellite will initially host only a small number of GPUs – Blackwell or H200 class GPU –, but the larger goal is technological validation, Awais Ahmed, CEO and co founder of Pixxel said.

Ahmed said most of the real testing will begin only after launch. “Once it’s in orbit, that’s the real test,” he said.

Agnikul Cosmos, meanwhile, is taking a more infrastructure-led approach.

Rather than building the data centre itself, the company wants to offer its launch systems and patented upper-stage platforms as orbital hosting infrastructure.

Typically, rocket upper stages become debris after satellite deployment.

Agnikul wants to convert those upper stages into long-duration orbital platforms capable of hosting compute payloads.

 

[Gessler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2056261512885686609

An MoU was signed between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) during PM Modi's visit to Sweden. While work regarding the Swedish payload on India's Venus mission, Shukrayaan, was already underway, it has now been formally acknowledged by both nations. The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) will develop the Venusian Neutrals Analyzer (VNA). This instrument will study the interaction between charged particles from the Sun and the atmosphere of Venus.

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Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), unofficially referred to as Shukrayaan:

In fully deployed configuration:

VOM will also include an atmospheric probe (you can see it being carried at the top of the spacecraft in the 1st pic above) that will descend into Venusian atmosphere:

The last man-made probe to do that was the Soviet Union's Vega-2 in 1985. Interestingly, VOM will also carry the VIRAL instrument module from Russia. Other international instruments include RAVI, developed in collaboration with Germany, while a NASA terahertz radar instrument is also being proposed but not confirmed yet.

The total spacecraft mass is estimated around 3.7 tons and will be launched by an LVM3 rocket. Launch is currently planned for 2028 but could get pushed.

 

[Gessler]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2061424322519171127

Bellatrix Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s space AI solutions company TelePIX Co. Ltd. to collaborate on a technology demonstration mission for Earth observation from Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). The signing ceremony recently took place at Daejeon. By bringing together the unique expertise of both companies, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in earth observation:

1. Bellatrix's Satellite Platform: We are providing our innovative VLEO satellite bus, powered by our proprietary Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system and other critical subsystems. This technology is crucial for overcoming atmospheric drag and enabling sustained, long-duration operations at ultra-low altitudes of 150–250 km.

2. TelePIX’s "Chouette" Payload: TelePIX is bringing their advanced high-resolution, wide-swath optical payload; custom-optimized for the VLEO environment, along with their expertise in system integration and AI-based image processing.

Operating in VLEO brings our satellites closer to Earth, unlocking game-changing improvements in optical imaging resolution compared to conventional LEO systems. We are targeting a technology demonstration launch in 2028, with our sights set on future constellation-scale deployments and expanded commercial missions!

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Bellatrix's Project-200 VLEO platform:

More details:

Pushpak | Bellatrix Aerospace

Bellatrix Aerospace is a new space company that develops and manufactures advanced technologies for in-space mobility.

bellatrix.aero

@urban mine

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2064254722106912973

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2064282159792447891

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2065418539595686160

 

[Nilgiri]

I Visited Skyroot Aerospace to checkout their Vikram 1 rocket before launch where i had a deep discussion with its founders Pawan and Bharath ‪@skyrootaerospaceofficial‬

Timestamps: 00:00 Tour Commencement & Early Look at Rocket Structure 01:06 Stepping Inside Skyroot's Main Integration Facility 01:52 Explaining the Brain, Nerves, and Eyes of the Rocket (Avionics) 03:52 Thrust Vector Control (TVC) Actuators & Nozzle Flexing 05:33 Modeling Flex and Rigid Body Simulations (6DOF Models) 06:56 Using Bending Mode Accelerometers & Mirror Imaging Sensors 07:53 Acoustic Sensors & Noise Prediction at Liftoff Interstages & Separation Mechanics 08:50 Inspection of the Rocket Interstages & Integrated Checks 11:24 Pneumatic Separation Mechanisms vs. Traditional Pyros 12:37 Solid Rocket Propellant Storage & Monolithic Stages 14:26 External Wire Routing via Y-Tunnels & Simulating Failures 16:21 Engineering Takeaways from the Vikram-S Suborbital Flight 17:45 Carbon Composite Structures & Extreme Thermal Insulation 18:34 Onboard Camera Switching Logic & Telemetry Limits 20:45 Booster Splashdown: Material Densities and Floating Logistics 22:50 3D Printed Roll Thrusters & Scarf Nozzles for Attitude Control Upper Stage & 3D Printed Engines 24:08 Inspecting Stage 4: The Orbit Adjustment Module (OAM) 25:01 Cabling Harnesses & Handling Heavily Instrumented Flights 26:21 Fuel & Oxidizer Pressurization Logistics 27:55 Fully 3D Printed Raman Engines (Regenerative Cooling Overview) 28:58 Safe-Arm Mechanical Safety Locks for Assembly 29:53 Acceleration Threshold Sensing for Stage Separation 31:21 Managing Solid Rocket Tail-off Thrust and Cut-off Phase 32:09 Designing In-house Custom Hardware for Reliability 33:04 Compensation for Solid Rocket Performance Dispersions 34:15 Evolution of the Upper Stage Control Architecture 36:45 Raman Mini Thrusters for Relative Separation Distance 38:24 Understanding Metal Bladders for Positive Expulsion Onboard Intelligence & Fairing Protection 39:46 The Heart of the Brain: Inspecting the Raman Onboard Computer (OBC) 40:54 Satellite Payload Deck Integration & Fairing Protections 43:56 Analysis of Cascading Failure Modes in Space Launches 44:57 Venturing Inside the 4-Meter All-Composite Payload Fairing 46:34 High-Pressure Solenoid Valves vs. Single-Use Pyros 47:44 The Reality of Redundancy Overhead in Small Launch Vehicles 49:09 Acoustic Blankets & Foam Shields for Sensitive Satellites 50:25 Shock Mitigation in Separation Systems 52:44 Vent Ports for Atmospheric Equalization in Vacuum Logistics, Testing & Facility Scale 54:55 Handling Static Charges on Conductive Carbon Fiber frames 56:23 Ground Umbilical Conditioning & Environmental Cooling 58:10 Transport Logistics, Specialized Jigs, and Handling Loads 01:00:26 Comparing Horizontal vs. Vertical Integration (LVM3 Challenges) 01:01:03 Actuator Loop / Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Test Series 01:02:44 Custom Automated Software for Fiber Winding 01:04:44 Chamber Pressure Simulation Fixture & Multi-Stage Load Testing 01:06:52 Close-up In-Depth Look at the Raman Engine & Injector 01:10:02 Intricate Cooling Channels & CT Scan Quality Checks 01:11:17 Evolution of Liquid & Cryogenic Propulsion: Dhawan 3 Engine 01:12:00 Walk-in Prepreg Freezer for Polymer Cross-linking Delay 01:12:30 Reflecting on Skyroot's Growth Journey & Rocket Science Reality 01:13:52 Exploring the Scale of the New "Infinity" Facility 01:15:39 Disassembling and Shipping Hardware to Satish Dhawan Space Centre 01:16:13 Embracing the Battle with Physics: "Unknown Unknowns" and Timelines 01:18:42 The Philosophy of Rocketry as a Complex System of Systems 01:20:35 Nostalgia of Returning to Launch From ISRO Spaceports Financially Support the channel :

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