Hyd space start-up Dhruva Space successfully tests satellite orbital deployer
For the PSLV C53 mission, Dhruva Space utilised the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) which allows in-orbit scientific experiments.
By Amrutha Kosuru Published on 3 July 2022 11:36 AM GMT
Hyderabad: City-based space tech start-up Dhruva Space successfully tested and space-qualified its satellite orbital deployer (DSOD 1U) which was aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation's PSLV C53.
The launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C53 took place at 6:02 p.m on 30 June from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
For the PSLV C53 mission, Dhruva Space utilised the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) which allows in-orbit scientific experiments.
(From left to right) Mr Srikanth Reddy, Head Business Development, Dhruva Space; Mr Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO, Dhruva Space; Shri S. R. Biju, PSLV C53 Mission Director, ISRO; Dr P. K. Jain, IN-SPACe Director - Program Management and Authorisation; Mr Abhay Egoor, CTO, Dhruva Space; and Mr Krishna Teja Penamakuru, COO, Dhruva Space.
Abhay Egoor, the chief technology officer of Dhruva Space, explained that the space orbital deployer is a canister-type deployer that is capable of ejecting a CubeSat (nanosatellites with the dimensions of 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm that are used in orbiting the earth at a lower level for remote sensing purposes). "The ejection of these nano satellites takes place from the launch vehicle once the launch vehicle reaches the intended altitude and orbit," he explained.
Dhruva Space's DSOD 1U was under development over the last 24 months along with a host of other configurations of deployers at Dhruva Space. "It is the first one out of the stable and has become the first product to gain space heritage from Dhruva Space," Abhay added.
The DSOD 1U mission success on ISRO's PSLV C53 has paved the way for Dhruva Space to launch its two small satellites Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2. This will likely happen on ISRO's PSLV C54 mission. "Apart from that, from a business perspective, we shall also be enabling our customers to launch their satellites on our deployer," Abhay explained.
Sanjay Nekkanti, the CEO of Dhruva Space, said, "The successful testing and space-qualification of Dhruva Space's 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."
Dhruva Space is the first private entity to secure an end-to-end design and development of space-grade solar arrays for satellites. The company is also the only Indian private entity with deployers compatible with ISRO launch vehicles PSLV and SSLV, apart from other international launch vehicles.
