Hyderabad-based space technology startup Dhruva Space has successfully tested and qualified its 3U and 6U Satellite Orbital Deployers and Orbital Link. This was made possible through their inclusion onboard the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) PSLV-C55 mission, which launched on April 22 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Dhruva Space utilised the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), a specialised tool that enables in-orbit scientific experiments.
Dhruva Space developed indigenous satellite deployment systems that are compatible with the PSLV Launch Vehicle. The company’s 3U Satellite Orbital Deployer achieved successful deployment status shortly after launch, and the 6U Satellite Orbital Deployer concluded a successful mission with confirmation of long-duration and planned delayed deployment. Dhruva Space also developed a successful space-qualified Orbital Link for satellite-based data relay applications.
Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO of Dhruva Space, said, “Completing three space missions in less than a year—one of which saw the launch and successful deployment of India’s first private satellites—we are happy to achieve this special milestone. The global market can expect greater things to come as we continue to fly our own or fly our customers’ payloads on every PSLV mission moving forward.”
Dhruva Space is now planning large satellite missions. Satellites are important in our daily lives as they help farmers understand crop yield, provide insights to national security agencies, and more. Through the recently announced Indian Space Policy, 2023, an official nod was given for opening the Indian space sector for private players. The global market can expect interesting and beneficial missions from Dhruv Space in the years ahead.
