Dhruva Space: Dhruva Space to launch first commercial mission with Aussie partners

BENGALURU: Spacetech startup Dhruva Space is about to launch its first commercial mission, LEAP-1, within the third quarter of 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The mission, a landmark for the 2012-founded Hyderabad-based firm, will host superior AI and hyperspectral imaging payloads from Australian companies Akula Tech and Esper Satellites on Dhruva’s indigenously developed P-30 satellite tv for pc platform.The mission follows Dhruva’s profitable in-orbit qualification of its P-30 bus on Isro’s PSLV-C58 in January 2024 and marks its transition from know-how demonstration to commercial operations. LEAP-1 will combine Dhruva’s hosted payload companies with its Ground Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS) and Integrated Space Operations & Command Suite (ISOCS) for real-time mission administration and knowledge downlinking.“This mission signifies a new era in AI-powered satellite technology to support defence, emergency response, climate monitoring and other strategic objectives,” stated Preetham Akula, CEO of Melbourne-based Akula Tech. The firm’s Nexus-01 payload will take a look at an onboard AI module able to real-time knowledge processing and re-training, probably decreasing decision-making timelines for crucial missions.Esper Satellites, in the meantime, will deploy its hyperspectral imager OTR-2, aimed toward delivering detailed, spectrally-rich Earth commentary knowledge for sectors together with agriculture, mining and environmental monitoring. “Launching OTR-2 on Dhruva’s platform proves that advanced hyperspectral technology can be both accessible and cost-effective,” stated Shoaib Iqbal, co-founder and CEO of Esper Satellites.Dhruva Space co-founder and CEO Sanjay Nekkanti stated the collaboration displays the corporate’s world ambitions. “Following our successful qualification of the P-30 platform, we are excited to take this capability to the international market. Partnering with Akula and Esper creates remarkable opportunities for Indo-Australian space cooperation while driving down costs and fostering a global commercial space economy,” he stated.The mission additionally underscores Dhruva’s rising position in India’s non-public house ecosystem, with assist from ISRO and IN-SPACe. Nekkanti credited a 2022 go to by Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo to Dhruva’s Hyderabad workplace for sparking the collaboration.LEAP-1 represents the first step in Dhruva Space’s collection of hosted payload missions, which the corporate says has already drawn curiosity from non-public gamers in India and Europe. “This launch is not just about deploying technology. It is about cementing India’s position as a fast-growing space power,” Nekkanti added.For Akula Tech, the mission can even present flight heritage to 5 of its AI software program merchandise, whereas Esper Satellites sees it as a stepping stone towards constructing a hyperspectral constellation. Dhruva Space, in the meantime, goals to scale its payload-hosting operations, positioning itself as a key enabler of cost-efficient, globally built-in house missions.