Dhruva Space gears up for launch within two years

[cobra commando]

BENGALURU: A two-year-old startup is aiming to be the first Indian company to design and manufacture satellites as it gears up for a commercial launch within the next two years. Dhruva Space, co-founded by space technologist Sanjay Nekkanti, is developing two satellites that weigh less than 30 kg each — the first one will be a technology demonstrator and the second, a private satellite for the Indian arm of Amateur Radio Operators, a global non-profit body that promotes launch of radio satellites. On Sunday, Dhruva Space sealed a deal with Amsat India, and the grouping will develop radio payloads for the satellite being built by the Bengaluru company. "India is the face of future frugal innovation," said Nekkanti, 25, a holder of two masters degrees in space technology and spacecraft instrumentation from Lulea University of Technology in Sweden. "Isro has proved that. It is now our turn to prove that for the private space industry," he said, adding that the inspiration came from Isro's Mars mission. Dhruva's satellites are expected to be launched on Isro's workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Nekkanti said his team is working closely with the space organisation for design approvals and testing of the satellites. If the process is successful, it will lead to the launch of Dhruva's first satellite in early 2016, with the second following soon after.


Read more:
Inspired from Isro's Mars mission Dhruva Space gears up for commercial launch within two years - The Economic Times