Meghana KandraIndia’s Dhruva Space finished testing and space-qualified its satellite deployer aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation’s PSLV C53. The Hyderabad-based startup launched the satellite deployer at 6:02 PM on June 30. The launch took place at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Image credits- Dhruva Space
The second commercial mission of NewSpace India Limited(NSIL) is the PSLV-C53. NSIL is a public sector undertaking of the Indian government and the commercial arm of ISRO. Satellite orbital deployers are mechanical casings. Where the CubeSats, and nanosatellites sit when the launch is taking place. These nanosatellites have the dimensions of 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. as the asset is space-qualified, it implies that the design and technical requirements are met and can be operated in space.
As the testing of satellite deployers is successful, Dhruva Space has its way to have satellite missions. According to Dhruva Space, PSLV C54, which is yet to be slated, will feature two satellites built by Dhruva Space, named Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2. For a smooth launch and stable deployment, the company made an indigenously-developed system. They are for its satellite orbital deployer, compatible with the PSLV C53. PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) was utilized for the PSLV C53 mission allowing in-orbit scientific experiments. To achieve all this, the start-up was not alone. It received help from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (In-Space). CEO of Dhruva Space, Sanjay Nekkanti said, “We look forward to supporting our international clients with CubeSat Deployers, Launch Services, and Integration.”
Receiving approvals
Dhruva Space became one of the first private companies to receive authorization from the recently-inaugurated IN-SPACe, which regulates the space activities of private entities. So Dhruva Space is now allowed to have the approved space activities.
Mr. Nekkanti further said: “The testing, review and authorisation support from VSSC, ISRO and IN-SPACe in our efforts to build indigenous capability in the domain of small satellite technology has been invaluable. Going forward, we intend to be part of every ISRO PSLV commercial mission and lead Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive for a private industry-led space revolution in the country.”
The CEO of Dhruva Space also said, “Our successful testing and space-qualification of the satellite orbital deployer marks a new chapter in India’s space history, and the PSLV C53 mission is an iconic milestone in the journey of Dhruva Space.”
The PSLV C53 mission follows the June 10 inauguration on IN-SPACe, an independent nodal agency under the Department of Space, Government of India. headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the entity permits, regulates, promotes, hand-holds, monitors, and supervises space activities of Non-Governmental Private Entities (NGEs) in India.