The Rise of India’s Private Space Sector

Swesh

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Indian DeepTech startup Astrome develops world’s first multi-beam e-band radio

Indian DeepTech startup Astrome Technologies, Incubated at IISc Bangalore has developed the world’s first multi-link E-Band Radio, GigaMesh. This product shall revolutionize the deployment of wireless backhaul in Rural Broadband and Defence communications markets in India and the world.
E-Band(70-80GHz) is a high-speed and high-capacity wireless communication frequency, which solves the purpose for both urban and rural locations. With the entire world migrating to virtual communication, there is a greater demand for gigabit-speed internet for hassle-free communication, data transfer, etc. E-band is the right technology to tackle these demands.

GigaMesh is an E-band radio, with Multiple-Point-to-Point (Multi-P2P) communication, making it the most effective way to share fiber-like capacity wirelessly. In terms of applicability, a single GigaMesh at a Gram Panchayat in Rural India, can connect to multiple surrounding villages, thus, providing a significant cost advantage.
It is deployed as a front-haul, mid-haul, and back-haul in the 5G implementation, aiding Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs).
“Gigamesh enables operators to reduce Cap-Ex cost and Op-Ex cost due to its powerful software features which maximize distributed capacity and minimize onsite maintenance. Setting up the radio is as easy as turning on your mobile. With our automatic electronic link alignment algorithms, the radio automatically searches for other GigaMesh radios in its field of view and connects with them. Our vision is to enable seamlessly high-bandwidth connectivity across land, ocean and air through innovative technologies,” Neha Satak, Co-Founder and CEO.

Source: https://www.dqindia.com/indian-deep...evelops-worlds-first-multi-beam-e-band-radio/
Follow up on this startup
Astrome teams up with Department of Telecommunication to trial wireless connectivity in 15 villages as a pilot project using 'GigaMesh'- their multi-beam millimeter-wave e-band radios
 

SKC

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Wakanda happened to Team Indus??
No new news about them, all new articles are from 2018-19 when google ended their Moon competition without any winner.

Along with that Israeli team, Team Indus also claimed that they have the lander ready and were working with ISRO for launch window.

What is latest about them or did their employees got absorbed into new companies like Agnikul or Bellatrix?
 

Indx TechStyle

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Swesh

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Wakanda happened to Team Indus??
No new news about them, all new articles are from 2018-19 when google ended their Moon competition without any winner.

Along with that Israeli team, Team Indus also claimed that they have the lander ready and were working with ISRO for launch window.

What is latest about them or did their employees got absorbed into new companies like Agnikul or Bellatrix?
 

Varoon2

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Can anyone make a comparison in thrust and payload levels et al, between Skyroot's Vikram, and ISRO's RH-560.
 

FalconSlayers

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Not just Skyroot, which is scheduled to launch its small, single-stage rocket from SRC tomorrow, but
@INSPACeIND has around 30 applications from entities wanting a nod for launch segment activities.

In fact, within months forming its directorates and beginning operations, IN-SPACe has nearly 300 entities registered expressing their interest in carrying out business or other activities in the Space sector.
1668706311746.png




Out of these, 89 are startups, 94 are classified as industry and 30 as MSMEs. There are also applications from academia, NGOs and others.

“We’ve already cleared 4 proposals in 6 months, including Skyroot’s. This is only the beginning. Among the many applications we have, there are those seeking promotions where we’ll help them get mentors, expert consultancy and more”, Vinod Kumar, director-promotions, said.

Including the 30-plus applications seeking nod for launch vehicle related activities, there are 158 applications IN-SPACe is vetting on a case-by-case basis. Most of them (141) are proposals seeking authorisation.

PK Jain, director-project management and authorisation, IN-SPACe, said applications for launch segment activities are those related to the development and testing of launch vehicles or associated systems and subsystems.

Of the 158 applications, most are for satellites (70), there are 17 seeking nods for applications and 8 for ground segment related activities. Comparatively, in August 2022, IN-SPACe had 97 applications, including 21 for launch vehicles and 54 for satellites.
1668706296549.png



Some of the proposals that are in advanced stage of consideration by IN-SPACe are by: Agnikul Cosmos, Bellatrix Aerospace, Astrome Technologies, Tathya, Manastu Space, Dhruva Space, Scanpoint Geomatics Ltd (SGL), Pixxel India, OneWeb India Communications, Hughes Communications, MTAR Aerospace, Ananth Technologies, LBS Institute of Technology for Women and ITCA, Bengaluru - 75 Student Satellite project.

Of these, Agnikul, which already has some clearances, is targeting a year-end launch of its sub-orbital launch vehicle, while Bellatrix has already expanded with new facilities, Dhruva Space and Pixxel will launch their payloads on November 26 onboard a PSLV. The other companies too are making progress with technology demonstration and in-house testing of systems.
 

Swesh

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From left: AgniKul Cosmos co-founder and COO Moin SPM and CEO Srinath Ravichandran
Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based space tech startup, is planning a full-scale commercial launch of their rocket Agnibaan in March/April 2023, according to co-founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran.

Agnilet, the startup's single-piece 3D-printed engine, was recently successfully tested at the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.


The startup is planning a test launch of its two-stage booster Agnibaan in December 2022. And, based on the findings of the test launch, the startup plans to conduct a commercial launch with customer payloads in March or April 2023, Ravichandran said.

"There are a lot of people who have expressed interest to be part of the launch. So I think once our test is done, we will start converting them into like actual contracts," Ravichandran said.

Ravichandran and Moin SPM, an operations specialist, founded the IIT Madras-incubated startup in 2017. It has raised $15 million to date, including $11 million in a Series A round last year backed by investors like venture capital firm Mayfield India and angel investors Anand Mahindra
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, ISRO announced that it has delivered a flight termination system (FTS) to Agnikul Cosmos for Agnibaan on November 7 after rounds of interactions about interfacing, handling etc.

This was also the first time for a system used for ISRO's vehicles to be supplied for a private launch vehicle built in India.. The package will be used for their fully controlled sub-orbital launcher, scheduled to launch from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

Engine test at ISRO


To put this in context, this is not the first time Agnikul Cosmos has tested its engine Agnilet. Unlike other rocket engines, Agnilet was built in a single step, eliminating the thousands of parts that are typically assembled in a conventional rocket engine; and they recently obtained a patent for the engine.

Previously, the startup successfully test-fired the engine at their own facility in IIT Madras in early 2021. The latest test, however, is more significant for Agnikul Cosmos since it is conducted at ISRO's facility.

"This test sort of taught us how to do it professionally at the level and at the quality at which an organisation like ISRO would conduct tests. This was a huge learning experience for us as well," Ravichandran said.

Ravichandran, a Wall Street trader turned aerospace engineer, explained that after building rocket engines, they must be tested under various operating conditions, burn times, and so on.

"So we actually built this engine and tested an older version in 2021 at IIT Madras. But we were very keen on doing this at ISRO. Because, the target was to get the same numbers (performance indicators) that we got when we conducted the tests at our facility," he explained.

"That's what we achieved here. We got the exact same results in the ISRO test when compared to the test conducted at our facility," he added.

December test launch and beyond

With the engine passing the ISRO test with flying colours, the startup will now focus on its test launch, which will help in validating other necessary technologies.

"Beyond the engine, you need other things for a launch. We have calibrated our test launch in a way that will validate a lot of technologies such as dynamics, avionics, navigation and so on. We'll see how that goes," he said.

Based on the results of the test launch, Agnikul Cosmos 'should be ready' for a full-scale commercial launch, he added.

On Skyroot Aerospace's planned launch

Hyderabad-based space technology company Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram S will be the first privately-manufactured rocket to launch from the country between November 12 and 16.

However, according to Ravichandran, the planned launch of Agnikul Cosmos will "look and feel quite different." Unlike Skyroot Aerospace's engine, which uses solid fuel, Agnikul Cosmos's engines are semi-cryogenic and utilise liquid propulsion, he explained.

The difference between the two startups also lies in their offerings. "Skyroot Aerospace operate in a higher satellite class. I wouldn't say there's direct competition -- there could be some overlap in the market. But we are catering towards small satellites which directly feel the pain point of going to space," he said.

Overall, Ravichandran sees this planned launch as a testament to the government's efforts to enable private launching in India.

In-SPACE's help

The Indian government established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACE) in 2020 as a single-window autonomous agency under the Department of Space.

Over the last year or so, the regulator has emerged as a focal point for easing communication, integration, and permission-related complexities between government and private space players.

This was also evident in Agnikul Cosmos' engine test at VSSC.

"To conduct any test with and at ISRO, a lot of interfaces have to be figured out. There is a lot of effort involved in making sure that an engine which has been made in some other place can interface with ISRO's test facilities," Ravichandran said.

As a result, there is a lot of back and forth, paperwork, and so on, he explained.

Three key players were involved in this test: the Department of Space, ISRO, and Agnikul Cosmos. In-SPACE ensured that Agnikul Cosmos had everything necessary for ISRO to allow the startup to test at their facility. It also ensured that the startup's requirements in relation to the test were met.

"So there is no framework that's available for taking some engineering hardware that has not been built at ISRO to test at an ISRO facility. So there needs to be a lot of interfacing and In-SPACE has become t
 

Vamsi

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From left: AgniKul Cosmos co-founder and COO Moin SPM and CEO Srinath Ravichandran
Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based space tech startup, is planning a full-scale commercial launch of their rocket Agnibaan in March/April 2023, according to co-founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran.

Agnilet, the startup's single-piece 3D-printed engine, was recently successfully tested at the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.


The startup is planning a test launch of its two-stage booster Agnibaan in December 2022. And, based on the findings of the test launch, the startup plans to conduct a commercial launch with customer payloads in March or April 2023, Ravichandran said.

"There are a lot of people who have expressed interest to be part of the launch. So I think once our test is done, we will start converting them into like actual contracts," Ravichandran said.

Ravichandran and Moin SPM, an operations specialist, founded the IIT Madras-incubated startup in 2017. It has raised $15 million to date, including $11 million in a Series A round last year backed by investors like venture capital firm Mayfield India and angel investors Anand Mahindra
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, ISRO announced that it has delivered a flight termination system (FTS) to Agnikul Cosmos for Agnibaan on November 7 after rounds of interactions about interfacing, handling etc.

This was also the first time for a system used for ISRO's vehicles to be supplied for a private launch vehicle built in India.. The package will be used for their fully controlled sub-orbital launcher, scheduled to launch from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

Engine test at ISRO


To put this in context, this is not the first time Agnikul Cosmos has tested its engine Agnilet. Unlike other rocket engines, Agnilet was built in a single step, eliminating the thousands of parts that are typically assembled in a conventional rocket engine; and they recently obtained a patent for the engine.

Previously, the startup successfully test-fired the engine at their own facility in IIT Madras in early 2021. The latest test, however, is more significant for Agnikul Cosmos since it is conducted at ISRO's facility.

"This test sort of taught us how to do it professionally at the level and at the quality at which an organisation like ISRO would conduct tests. This was a huge learning experience for us as well," Ravichandran said.

Ravichandran, a Wall Street trader turned aerospace engineer, explained that after building rocket engines, they must be tested under various operating conditions, burn times, and so on.

"So we actually built this engine and tested an older version in 2021 at IIT Madras. But we were very keen on doing this at ISRO. Because, the target was to get the same numbers (performance indicators) that we got when we conducted the tests at our facility," he explained.

"That's what we achieved here. We got the exact same results in the ISRO test when compared to the test conducted at our facility," he added.

December test launch and beyond

With the engine passing the ISRO test with flying colours, the startup will now focus on its test launch, which will help in validating other necessary technologies.

"Beyond the engine, you need other things for a launch. We have calibrated our test launch in a way that will validate a lot of technologies such as dynamics, avionics, navigation and so on. We'll see how that goes," he said.

Based on the results of the test launch, Agnikul Cosmos 'should be ready' for a full-scale commercial launch, he added.

On Skyroot Aerospace's planned launch

Hyderabad-based space technology company Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram S will be the first privately-manufactured rocket to launch from the country between November 12 and 16.

However, according to Ravichandran, the planned launch of Agnikul Cosmos will "look and feel quite different." Unlike Skyroot Aerospace's engine, which uses solid fuel, Agnikul Cosmos's engines are semi-cryogenic and utilise liquid propulsion, he explained.

The difference between the two startups also lies in their offerings. "Skyroot Aerospace operate in a higher satellite class. I wouldn't say there's direct competition -- there could be some overlap in the market. But we are catering towards small satellites which directly feel the pain point of going to space," he said.

Overall, Ravichandran sees this planned launch as a testament to the government's efforts to enable private launching in India.

In-SPACE's help

The Indian government established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACE) in 2020 as a single-window autonomous agency under the Department of Space.

Over the last year or so, the regulator has emerged as a focal point for easing communication, integration, and permission-related complexities between government and private space players.

This was also evident in Agnikul Cosmos' engine test at VSSC.

"To conduct any test with and at ISRO, a lot of interfaces have to be figured out. There is a lot of effort involved in making sure that an engine which has been made in some other place can interface with ISRO's test facilities," Ravichandran said.

As a result, there is a lot of back and forth, paperwork, and so on, he explained.

Three key players were involved in this test: the Department of Space, ISRO, and Agnikul Cosmos. In-SPACE ensured that Agnikul Cosmos had everything necessary for ISRO to allow the startup to test at their facility. It also ensured that the startup's requirements in relation to the test were met.

"So there is no framework that's available for taking some engineering hardware that has not been built at ISRO to test at an ISRO facility. So there needs to be a lot of interfacing and In-SPACE has become t
It looks like they are going to do sub-orbital flight of full scale rocket, not sounding rocket like Skyroot
 

Swesh

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It looks like they are going to do sub-orbital flight of full scale rocket, not sounding rocket like Skyroot
The startup is planning a test launch of its two-stage booster Agnibaan in December 2022. And, based on the findings of the test launch, the startup plans to conduct a commercial launch with customer payloads in March or April 2023, Ravichandran said.
 

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