Mastering the space ecosystem is no small feat. From development to deployment, each Mission demands years of intricate work. However, Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space has cracked the code. It has successfully completed three space missions in less than 12 months – a record for any private Indian space tech company to date.

Alongside Bengaluru-based Digantara, which works in situational awareness, Dhruva Space became one of the only two private organisations authorised by IN-SPACe to launch and carry out missions.

“This was a significant achievement for us as one of the first companies to receive authorisation and successfully launch two satellites,” said Abhay Egoor, co-founder and chief technology officer at Dhruva Space, in an exclusive interaction with AIM.

These three missions include DSOD-1U Space Qualification on June 30, 2022, where the Satellite Orbital Deployer obtained authorisation during ISRO’s PSLV C53 mission. This was followed by the Thybolt Mission, launched on November 26, 2022, involving two amateur radio communication nanosatellites, Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2.

The third mission in April featured successful experiments, including 3U and 6U Satellite Orbital Deployers and the Dhruva Space Orbital Link (DSOL). All experiments, including DSOL’s proven capability for satellite-based data relay applications, were declared successful on May 5, 2023, with the satellites completing about 5000 orbits to date.

Founded in 2012, Dhruva Space has a number of angel as well as VC investors including Indian Angel Network, Indian Angel Network Fund and Blue Ashva Capital. The founding team consists of CEO Sanjay Nekkanti, COO Krishna Teja Penamakuru, Chaitanya Dora Surapureddy, CFO and Egoor.

How Did They Make This Happen?

Egoor humbly attributes the success of this to strategic planning and the adept use of the local ecosystem.

“Instead of managing everything internally, we’ve partnered with around 150 out of a network of over 430 registered vendors covering tasks like mechanical machining, coatings, and electronics,” he added. This approach, streamlining processes to operate concurrently with multiple vendors, expedites manufacturing.

However, in-house quality control, adhering to stringent space-grade standards, is rigorously maintained. Many of these vendors boast prior experience working with ISRO, demonstrating familiarity with and adherence to stringent standards.

The company’s continuous optimisation for mass production addresses the escalating demand for larger-scale satellites, facilitating efficient service delivery. The success achieved is credited to the unwavering dedication of the team and their collaborative efforts with the local ecosystem.

Working with ISRO

In August this year, Dhruva Space received the transfer of satellite technology, including the IMS-1 Satellite Bus Technology from NewSpace (NSIL)/ISRO, and it encompasses detailed design files and documentation for all satellite subsystems. This includes information on solar panels, electrical connections, and structural elements, providing a comprehensive blueprint for the satellite’s construction.

“However, the transfer is not a mere replication of the design; rather, it involves fine-tuning for mass manufacturing, often in collaboration with design firms to make efficient modifications. This is important for meeting the demand for multiple satellites within a short timeframe,” added Egoor.

The support provided by ISRO as part of the tech transfer agreement further accelerates Dhruva’s credibility. “Overall, technology transfer accelerates our ability to offer services in this satellite class and reduces the time and effort required for research and development from scratch,” he added.

Tracking the Tech

Dhruva’s comprehensive tech stack spans three key segments: space, launch, and ground.

In the space segment, the company specializes in designing and manufacturing satellite platforms, encompassing crucial subsystems like solar panels, structures, electrical power systems, onboard controllers, RF systems, and attitude determination and control systems.

“While we don’t build propulsion systems or payloads, we manage most other subsystems internally,” said Egoor.

For the launch segment, the company doesn’t construct rockets but focuses on separation systems, particularly for CubeSats. In the ground segment, they offer complete ground stations, including antennas, control systems, radio stack, and software for data download, deploying these solutions as both software as a service and turnkey products across the country.

Throughout the whole process, AI and ML play a crucial role, particularly in the satellite segment, as Egoor said. In satellite operations, AI and ML are used for onboard processing to minimize the need for downlinking large datasets to the ground, improving operational efficiency by conducting initial analyses of extensive datasets in orbit, resulting in a more streamlined downlink of critical information.

Dhruva is also integrating edge computing with AI into its satellite platforms, expanding applications beyond imagery to include diverse payloads like communications or scientific instruments.

Additionally, the team has developed a comprehensive software suite for the ground segment, incorporating AI and ML elements to optimise data analysis and streamline ground station operations, ensuring reliable and efficient satellite downlinks for end customers.

Turning attention to generative AI, Egoor said that even though it is in an early stage of development for space, he sees potential applications for it in the space industry. “The evolving landscape of the space segment, coupled with advancements in processing power and emerging edge computing technologies, presents a promising opportunity for the integration of generative AI,” he added.

Unlike in the past, where extensive server farms were necessary for such operations, today’s technology allows us to deploy these models on processors as compact as a mobile phone. Moreover, real-time updates based on additional data enable us to manage modeling and data analysis without relying on large server farms.

Soaring into Space Success

Dhruva Space has a lot of interesting projects coming up. Just last week, Dhruva unveiled its ambitious plans for a 280,000-square-foot design, engineering, assembly, integration, and testing facility for large-scale spacecraft manufacturing, marking a significant stride in India’s space privatization efforts in Hyderabad.

Discussing the same, Egoor said, “This facility, set to start construction by year-end, will streamline the entire process from solar panel fabrication to satellite assembly and testing.”

The facility, strategically located in Shamshabad, will address the growing demand for satellite-based services on Earth. The project, set on a 6.5-acre plot allocated by the Telangana government, will be completed in phases over five years, with the initial phase featuring a 150,000-square-foot space, including a Solar Array Assembly Line.

In their upcoming mission, scheduled for early next year, the space tech startup announced the introduction of hosted payload services through the Leap initiative. They plan to construct an entire satellite for an Australian company aiming to validate its imaging camera payload.

“Operating on our new flagship platform, the P30, a 30-kilogram satellite, we will design and integrate various subsystems, including solar panels, structure, power systems, onboard controllers, RF link, and attitude control systems,” Egoor told us.

Following the satellite’s launch, the company will manage all operations and data delivery for the customer. Moreover, beyond hosted payloads, the company intends to offer the P30 platform globally, allowing customers to purchase and launch complete satellites tailored to their specific needs.

Read more: This Indian Space Tech Startup is Building the World’s First Multisensor Satellite

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