Dhruva Space
Dhruva Space: Pioneering Full-Stack Space Engineering Solutions
Dhruva Space is an award-winning space technology startup specializing in full-stack space engineering solutions. Headquartered in Hyderabad, India, with an additional presence in Graz, Austria, the company develops application-agnostic satellite platforms catering to commercial, governmental, and academic markets worldwide.
Dhruva Space provides satellites for LEO, Earth stations, and launch services as integrated solutions or standalone technology products, enabling space-based applications on Earth and beyond. The company’s leadership team comprises experienced professionals from Exseed Space, ams AG, Cisco, and KPMG.
Currently, Dhruva Space operates from a 10,000-square-foot facility in Hyderabad’s Begumpet area, featuring specialized infrastructure such as a Class 10,000 Cleanroom, a Helmholtz Cage, advanced mechanical and electronic labs, and an operational ground station.
Company History and Milestones
Founding and Early Development
Dhruva Space was founded in 2012 by Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti, whose passion for space technology began during his undergraduate studies at SRM University in Chennai. He was part of India’s first student nano-satellite project, which ignited his vision for private-sector satellite manufacturing in India.
In 2014, Dhruva Space partnered with AMSAT India to develop HAMSAT-II, a microsatellite providing satellite-based amateur radio services to a global community of HAM operators.
Funding and Growth
- December 2019: Secured $50 million in funding, led by Mumbai Angels Network.
- September 2020: Became the first Indian private company to receive an order for the design and development of space-grade solar arrays for satellites.
- October 2021: Raised an additional $22 million in funding from Indian Angel Network (IAN) Fund and Blue Ashva Capital.
- April 2024: Raised $15 million in Series A funding to support the development of a 280,000-square-foot spacecraft manufacturing facility in Shamshabad, Telangana.
Major Achievements & Missions
- March 2022: Named ‘Best Spacetech Startup’ by Entrepreneur India magazine, BusinessEx.com, and Gupshup.
- March 16, 2022: Signed a commercial launch services agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for in-orbit testing of Dhruva Space Orbit Deployers (DSOD).
- June 24, 2022: Became one of the first two private companies authorized by IN-SPACe for space activities.
- June 30, 2022: Successfully tested and space-qualified the DSOD-1U Mission aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C53 mission.
- November 26, 2022: Launched Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2 CubeSats aboard ISRO’s PSLV C54 mission for amateur radio communication. These satellites completed over 15,000 orbits before deorbiting in June 2024.
- February 16, 2023: Signed a MoA with French strategic equipment supplier Comat for bilateral technology exchange.
- March 16, 2023: Announced a partnership with Kinéis, a French satellite operator, to build space and ground infrastructure for IoT applications, culminating in a joint satellite mission.
- April 22, 2023: Successfully launched 3U and 6U Satellite Orbital Deployers and the Dhruva Space Satellite Orbiter Link (DSOL) aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C55 (POEM-2 mission).
- July 15, 2024: Granted authorization by IN-SPACe to provide Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS) to enhance data transmission and reduce mission operational costs.
Expanding Infrastructure
On October 14, 2023, Dhruva Space unveiled plans for a 280,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The facility will focus on designing, engineering, assembling, integrating, and testing satellite infrastructure. The first phase, expected to be completed within 18-24 months, will span 150,000 square feet, featuring a 20,000-square-foot Solar Array Assembly Line.
LEAP: Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads
One of Dhruva Space’s key commercial initiatives is LEAP (Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads), offering hosted payload solutions for global space missions.
- January 1, 2024: Successfully launched the LEAP-TD (Technology Demonstrator) payload aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C58 (POEM-3 mission). This mission validated Dhruva Space’s P-30 nanosatellite platform and various subsystems in orbit.
- Upcoming LEAP-1 Mission: Dhruva Space will deploy its P-30 nanosatellite to validate an Australian customer’s satellite imagery payload, scheduled to launch aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C59.
Conclusion
Dhruva Space continues to revolutionize the Indian and global space ecosystem with its pioneering technologies, strategic partnerships, and extensive infrastructure development. By offering end-to-end satellite solutions, Dhruva Space is not just enabling space-based applications but shaping the future of private space exploration.
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Resources
www.dhruvaspace.com
www.satsearch.co
www.pitchbook.com
www.business-standard.com edition January 13th, 2015
www.satellitetoday.com edition April 22nd, 2024
www.spacewatch.global edition April 30th, 2024
www.thehindu.com edition July 15th, 2024
www.silverneedle.vc
www.nanosats.eu
www.amsat-uk.org
www.isro.gov.in