India's Space Startups Announce Success of in-orbit Experiments By CIOTechOutlook Team

India's Space Startups Announce Success of in-orbit Experiments

CIOTechOutlook Team | Thursday, 04 January 2024, 02:37 IST

Dhurva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace, two Indian space companies, have successfully tested their P30 Satellite Platform and high performance green propulsion systems onboard ISRO's POEM program. Dhruva Space, based in Hyderabad, stated in a statement that the successful testing of the 'Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads - Technology Demonstrator' (LEAP-TD) will aid in the launch of its satellite mission.

The statement said Dhruva Space has validated the P-30 platform and its various subsystems in-orbit and the results were confirmed by reception of telemetry and beacon data at the ground station of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), as per economic times.

"These subsystems include On-Board Computer, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) TT&C Module, Beacon in UHF, Attitude Control System with a Reaction Wheel from Comat, and Power Distribution Board," the Dhruva Space statement read.

The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) from ISRO facilitates in-orbit scientific research by utilizing the leftover PS4 stage as an orbital platform.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) announced the successful testing of Bellatrix Aerospace's India's first high performance green propulsion system for small satellites, which was backed by the DRDO's Technology Development Fund.

"The developed technology is environmentally safe, reducing cost of satellites and will be key technology boosting Indian space capabilities," the DRDO said on X.

The LEAP-TD qualification has now prepared the path for hosted payload solutions for space missions, which allow anybody other than the satellite's primary operator to own a component of the spacecraft, such as a sensor, an instrument, or a group of transponders.

"The first LEAP satellite mission (LEAP-1) has already been conceived and is slated to be launched soon," the start-up said.