Indian Space Industry : Updates & Discussions

[Gautam]

Centre to support Agnikul Cosmos in developing Agnibaan rocket

India Today Science Desk, New Delhi
UPDATED: Dec 17, 2024; 16:17 IST

This funding will facilitate the creation of the launch vehicle that meets diverse mission requirements while reducing lead times for satellite launches to just two weeks.

Agnibaan launching on Sorted-1 mission. (Photo: Agnikul).

In Short:

• The initiative is backed by the Technology Development Board
• Agnikul Cosmos was incubated at IIT-Madras
• The Agnibaan vehicle aims to revolutionise the satellite launch ecosystem

In a significant advancement for India's space capabilities, the Ministry of Science and Technology has announced its support for Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based aerospace startup, to develop and commercialize the "Agnibaan" launch vehicle.

This highly customizable two-stage rocket is designed to deliver payloads of up to 300 kg to orbits at an altitude of 700 km, aiming to make satellite launches more accessible and affordable.

The initiative is backed by the Technology Development Board (TDB), which has sanctioned financial assistance for the project titled "Development and Commercialization of Modular Configurable Launch Vehicle for 100 Kg Payload."



This funding will facilitate the creation of a launch vehicle that meets diverse mission requirements while reducing lead times for satellite launches to just two weeks.

Agnikul Cosmos, incubated at IIT-Madras and guided by a team of 45 former ISRO scientists, achieved a historic milestone earlier this year with the successful launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD, the world's first rocket powered by a single-piece 3D-printed engine.

The Agnibaan vehicle is poised to revolutionize the satellite launch ecosystem by offering dedicated launches and operational flexibility through mobile launch systems that can be deployed globally.

Agnikul aims to revolutionize satellite launches with its Agnibaan rocket by reducing lead times for satellite launches to as little as two weeks, offering operational flexibility through mobile launch systems that can be deployed globally, and enabling customizable space missions for small satellites, eliminating the inefficiencies of traditional rideshare models.



The Agnibaan project incorporates several cutting-edge technologies, including India's first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine and mobile launch platforms capable of launching from various locations.

The startup has developed all major subsystems in-house, ensuring comprehensive testing facilities for quality assurance and subsystem evaluations.

With its innovative approach, Agnikul aims to democratize access to space, catering to the growing demand for small satellite launches.

Centre to support Agnikul Cosmos in developing Agnibaan rocket

 

[Ashwin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1873982658642161967

 

[Gautam]

Indian space startup SpanTrik is developing a 5kN LOX/LNG engine named "Eureka":
View attachment 36261
View attachment 36262
View attachment 36263
Eureka is a pressure fed regeneratively cooled engine. This engine will power the "LEAPFROGGER" platform shown below:
View attachment 36260
The "LEAPFROGGER" platform will be the company's sub-scale VTVL test platform.
View attachment 36264
They wanted to do the first flight tests by 2024. Though that seems difficult now.

Eventually they plan to develop a fully reusable medium lift rocket:
View attachment 36266
View attachment 36265

SpanTrik Pvt. Ltd. has started fabricating the "Leapfrogger" platform to test their VTVL capabilities:



They recently tested their 5kN "Eureka" Methalox engine. Photo from engine torch ignitor tests:



Video1:
View attachment spantrik injector test video_1.mp4

Video2:
View attachment spantrik injector test video_2.mp4

Engine test video:
View attachment spantrik eureka engine test video.mp4

 

[Gautam]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1876597894888989029

 

[Gautam]

Pixxel is launching 3 hyperspectral earth imaging satellites on SpaceX Falcon rocket:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877016551343157723

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877697147233038599

 

[Gautam]

Render of Pixxel's Firefly satellite:



Factory tour:

 

[Gautam]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1879167797802188912

 

[Gautam]

Exclusive: First Indian startups picked for Indo-US defence programme, investor says

By Nivedita Bhattacharjee
January 17, 20253:29 PM GMT+5:30Updated 7 days ago

The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights.

BENGALURU, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Seven Indian privately-held startups have been chosen for a first-of-its-kind India-U.S. space and defence collaboration programme, potentially unlocking a lucrative and strategic market for Indian firms, an investor who co-launched the project told Reuters on Friday.

The companies include space imaging company KaleidEO, rocket makers EtherealX and AI-driven company Shyam VNL. They will participate in a programme for defence and dual-use technology and explore opportunities to work with the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit, the Department of Defense and other government agencies on satellite observation and emerging space and defence technologies.

Indian investor Indusbridge Ventures and U.S.-based FedTech, which established the programme in September 2024, selected seven Indian companies and talks are underway about specific projects.

"This programme offers valuable resources, mentorship, and essential connections with industry leaders in the U.S., and we look forward to partnering with FedTech on this initiative to accelerate private-sector partnership between the two countries in strategic sectors – defence and dual-use technology," said Rahul Devjani, the managing partner at Indusbridge Ventures.

The startups will get access to the world's biggest defence and space market and potentially work with U.S. defence industry leaders like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and RTX, two sources from the startups said. They declined to be identified owing to the sensitivity of the matter.

That could give them an edge against the competition as they compete for U.S. business in their niches worth about $1.5 billion annually, one of the sources said.

The U.S. government bodies did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. The development and details of the programme have not been made public before.

Lockheed and Northrop declined to comment, while RTX, formerly known as Raytheon, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Access to the U.S. defence and space market, the largest globally, could generate annual revenues between $500 million and $1 billion for the Indian companies, the second source said.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval this month met with his U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan in New Delhi to discuss space technology collaboration and the "deepening cooperation between the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit and India's Innovations for Defense Excellence to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge commercial technologies for military solutions," among other topics.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/...-us-defence-programme-sources-say-2025-01-17/

 

[Gautam]

Indian space startup SpanTrik is developing a 5kN LOX/LNG engine named "Eureka":
View attachment 36261
View attachment 36262
View attachment 36263
Eureka is a pressure fed regeneratively cooled engine. This engine will power the "LEAPFROGGER" platform shown below:
View attachment 36260
The "LEAPFROGGER" platform will be the company's sub-scale VTVL test platform.
View attachment 36264
They wanted to do the first flight tests by 2024. Though that seems difficult now.

Eventually they plan to develop a fully reusable medium lift rocket:
View attachment 36266
View attachment 36265

SpanTrik Pvt. Ltd. has started fabricating the "Leapfrogger" platform to test their VTVL capabilities:
View attachment 39469
View attachment 39470

They recently tested their 5kN "Eureka" Methalox engine. Photo from engine torch ignitor tests:
View attachment 39468
View attachment 39471

Video1:
View attachment 39467

Video2:
View attachment 39472

Engine test video:
View attachment 39473

SpanTrix recently met with PM during an exhibition & showcased their engine:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1880669689443188911

https://twitter.com/x/status/1878838549245739472

They are planning to test Leapfrogger’s VTVL capabilities in September 2025:

 

[Gautam]

SpaceFields successfully fires India's first aerospike rocket engine

India Today Science Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 11, 2024, 14:12 IST

Aerospike engines are unique because they adjust to different altitudes, maintaining efficiency regardless of atmospheric pressure.

SpaceFields, a startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has successfully tested India’s first aerospike rocket engine. The test took place at the IISc Propulsion Test Facility in Challakere, Chitradurga district.

View attachment 36257
In 2022 the company unveiled 3 solid rocket engines manufactured out of aerospace grade Titanium, Aluminum and Stainless Steel.

The aerospike engine, 168 mm in size, was ignited during a static test. Initially, the engine showed some instability but soon achieved steady combustion. The test used a special composite propellant and recorded a maximum pressure of 11 bar, producing a peak thrust of 2000 Newtons.

View attachment 36259

In total, the engine generated 54,485.9 Newton-seconds of impulse, a key measure of performance.

SpaceFields used Titanium grade 5 as the main material for the engine, with their patented thermal insulation to protect it from the high temperatures. This innovative design is part of the company’s efforts to push the boundaries of rocket technology.

View attachment 36258

Aerospike engines are unique because they adjust to different altitudes, maintaining efficiency regardless of atmospheric pressure.

This feature makes them more efficient than traditional rocket engines, potentially reducing the need for extra stages and cutting fuel consumption during space missions.

This successful test is an important step for India’s space technology. It places SpaceFields as a leader in next-generation rocket development. With the global space industry advancing rapidly, innovations like the aerospike engine could improve the performance and cost-efficiency of future space launches.

View attachment 36256
SpaceFields is developing a fleet of Small-Lift Launch Vehicles gearing to provide Commercial Orbital Launch-On-Demand Services. Source: SpaceFields twiter.

This milestone also highlights the growing strength of partnerships between academia and industry in India. As SpaceFields continues to improve their engine, it could lead to significant changes in how India approaches space exploration, making access to space more affordable and efficient.

SpaceFields successfully fires India's first aerospike rocket engine

 

[Ashwin]

Bengaluru-based co Digantara to launch satellite to monitor space objects on board Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket

Bengaluru-based start-up Digantara will launch the world's first commercial satellite for tracking space objects as small as 5 cm to ensure safer space operations.

 

[Gautam]

Skyroot is making steady progress:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1876597894888989029

https://twitter.com/x/status/1887021251094569014

 

[RISING SUN]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889511444515004741

 

[Gautam]

Exclusive: Adani-backed firm among three finalists in India's small satellite launch rocket privatization

By Nivedita Bhattacharjee
February 14, 2025
4:35 PM GMT+5:30

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle and Indian flag are seen in this illustration taken, October 10, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/FIle photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Summary:

• Other bidders involve state-backed companies
• Indian government has been pushing to privatize space industry
• SSLV up for bid is home-grown small space booster

BENGALURU, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Indian conglomerate Adani Group is a finalist, alongside two government-linked groups, to take over private production of India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The SSLV, developed by the Indian Space Research Organization, is a low-cost vehicle capable of deploying satellites of up to 500 kg (1,100 pounds) into low-Earth orbit, or LEO - the most sought-after segment of the satellite launch market.

After its first successful launch in 2023, the government moved to transfer the vehicle’s production and technology to private industry as part of a broader push to expand India’s commercial space sector.

That move has been the highest-profile piece of India's privatization efforts, which the government hopes will help the country claim a greater share of the booming global satellite launch market, dominated by private players such as SpaceX.

“LEO is the name of the game right now, so the potential winner has the opportunity to really tap into a rapidly growing market,” said Damodaran Raman, a director at Deloitte who specializes in space tech.

About 20 companies initially expressed interest in bidding for the SSLV, the first privatization of its kind under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy drive to open up India’s space industry.

The three finalist consortiums include Alpha Design Technologies, in which Adani Defence Systems and Technologies owns a stake; state-backed Bharat Dynamics Limited; and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Reuters could not verify the exact structure of each bidding group.

The companies did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. The sources did not want to be named because details of the bids are not public.

The winning company is expected to pay India's space agency about 3 billion rupees ($30 million) for the SSLV, covering design know-how, manufacturing processes, quality-assurance training, and up to 24 months of technical support or two successful launches, according to one of the sources.

Beyond financial capability, bidders must demonstrate the ability to manufacture, sustain, and sell the SSLV.

A second source familiar with the matter said the limited availability of launch slots with major industry players such as SpaceX presents a significant opportunity for new entrants, with the possibility of positioning themselves as a go-to launch partner for South Asia.

The global satellite launch vehicle market is projected to grow from $5.6 billion in 2025 to $113 billion by 2030, with low-Earth orbit launches dominating, according to research firm Mordor Intelligence.

India accounts for only 2% of the global space economy. The Modi government aims to expand that share fivefold to $44 billion by the end of the decade.

Companies vying for the SSLV contract were required to be profitable, with the lead bidder having at least five years of manufacturing experience and an annual revenue of at least 4 billion rupees ($50 million), according to India’s space regulator.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/...ias-small-satellite-launch-rocket-2025-02-14/

 

[Gautam]

Some critical components are to be proven in Sept/Oct 2025:

First launch in 2026.

 

[Gautam]

TDS-1, the satellite India’s 1st pvt PSLV will launch to test 35 new tech

By Chethan Kumar / TNN
Updated: Feb 18, 2025, 13:30 IST


BENGALURU: India’s first privately manufactured Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), being built by a consortium of HAL and L&T, will carry a technology demonstration satellite (TDS-1) that will test up to 35 new indigenous technologies.

Isro chairman V Narayanan revealed this in an exclusive interview to TOI and said the launch, scheduled for the third quarter of this year, will mark a milestone as the first PSLV manufactured by the private sector under a contract for five rockets.

The vehicle is in “advanced stages of realization” with Isro providing technical guidance to the industrial partners.

“It is called a technology demonstration satellite (TDS-1) ... There are 35 experimental things. Among other things, along with chemical propulsion, we are also going to use electric propulsion. We are also going to demonstrate indigenous atomic clock, quantum payloads. So, a lot of things are in the store. And right now, the payload is getting realized.”


TDS-1, the satellite India’s 1st pvt PSLV will launch to test 35 new technologies.

The final number of experiments, targeted at 35, will be confirmed later. In TDS-1 Isro will test a 300 milli-Newton (300mN) electric propulsion thruster developed at Isro’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), which Narayanan headed before taking over as Isro chairman. The new thruster is currently undergoing life cycle testing.

He said Isro had earlier tried a 75mN thruster on the GSAT-9, but what will go on TDS-1 “will be the first time an entirely indigenous system will be deployed,” Narayanan said. The organization had earlier developed associated components like the power processing unit, control systems and propellant tankage internally.

TDS-1, the satellite India’s 1st pvt PSLV will launch to test 35 new tech | India News - The Times of India

 

[Gautam]

 

[Gautam]

 

[Gautam]

L&T bets on space exploration as India expands private rocket and satellite industry

By Nivedita Bhattacharjee
March 5, 20258:41 PM GMT+5:30

Employees works next to Heat Shield of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) inside a manufacturing facility of the Larsen & Toubro Precision Manufacturing and Systems Complex on the outskirts of Coimbatore, India, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Sivaram V/File Photo.

BENGALURU, March 5 (Reuters)- The Indian industrial conglomerate Larsen & Toubro said it is betting on aerospace as a potential growth engine, including launch vehicle and satellite manufacturing, as the country cuts reliance on imports and boosts private participation.


Employees stand next to Heat Shield of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II inside a manufacturing facility of the Larsen & Toubro Precision Manufacturing and Systems Complex on the outskirts of Coimbatore, India, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Sivaram V/File Photo.

L&T, considered a bellwether for India's infrastructure spending because of how many industries its work touches, is the country's largest private-sector defense manufacturer by revenue; its Precision Engineering and Systems unit posted revenue of 46.10 billion rupees ($548.3 million) in the 2024 fiscal year, up 41% from the previous year.


A rocket booster lies inside a manufacturing facility of the Larsen & Toubro Precision Manufacturing and Systems on the outskirts of Coimbatore, India, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Sivaram V/File Photo.

At its factory in Coimbatore, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, L&T is assembling the country's first privately built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), a mainstay of ISRO's launch program, through a consortium with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It is also building equipment for ISRO's other deep space exploration programs.

The company hopes to scale up its space business amid India's privatization push, which has eased foreign investment limits and allocated a larger share of procurement budgets away from state-run enterprises.

"We have decades of experience in high-tech manufacturing, critical systems, and scaling up production. The same expertise applies to aerospace," AT Ramchandani, senior vice president and head of L&T's Precision Engineering and Systems, told Reuters in an interview at the factory.


Employees enter a L&T building after a lunch break inside the Larsen & Toubro Precision Manufacturing and Systems complex on the outskirts of Coimbatore, India, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Sivaram V/File Photo.

Walking through the facility, amid workers building heat shields and other rocket components, he said the global launch vehicle market was expected to hit about $160 billion over the next decade. The Indian government has set a target of reaching $44 billion for the country's commercial space sector in that time. India's space sector is valued at $13 billion, according to a February report by research firm DAM Capital.

L&T's plans intersect with India's strategy to position the country as a leading space power, with Prime Minister Modi's government pushing for the industry to become a force for further economic growth.


An employee performs Laser Tracker Inspection on a High Thrust Transfer Structure (HTS) inside a manufacturing facility of the Larsen & Toubro Precision Manufacturing and Systems Complex on the outskirts of Coimbatore, India, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Sivaram V/File Photo.

The country hopes liberalized regulations allowing private firms to design, build and operate launch services will attract global players, mirroring the commercial space boom seen in the United States and Europe.

The first launch of a privately built PSLV booster, delayed from early 2025, is expected to occur by mid-year, though an exact date had not yet been decided, Ramchandani said. Each booster, several of which were in various stages of assembly in the factory, costs about $30 million.

"Clearly when we are getting into a business like this, it is with an eye to the global market," Ramchandani said. "There’s demand for timely and cost-effective launches, especially as satellite constellations grow. If we can provide availability, reliability, and cost advantages, India can be competitive."

https://www.reuters.com/business/ae...private-rocket-satellite-industry-2025-03-05/

 

[Gautam]

Varuna Paved the Way — Now Drone SAR & MATSYA Take Over

With Varuna’s legacy guiding us, 2025 launches new frontiers—Drone SAR takes flight, and MATSYA dives deep into maritime analytics.

By Varuna Mission
Mar 3, 2025

As we close the hatch on the Varuna Mission, 2025 is shaping up to be a launchpad for our next big endeavours—introducing the Drone SAR Project and the MATSYA maritime analytics software.

From testing the limits of space to bringing cutting-edge innovation back down to Earth, this year is all about turning data into decisions and ideas into impact.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, our team is doubling down on developing our next commercial satellite—a mission driven by everything we learned from Varuna and built to push our capabilities even further.

But first, let’s rewind and reflect on our journey so far. Spoiler alert: it’s been out of this world.

Varuna in Space!

Reflecting on the Varuna Mission

The Varuna Mission wasn’t just a step into space— it was a proving ground for our technology in one of the harshest environments imaginable. Launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV C-60, Varuna was designed as a technology demonstrator to validate the performance of our electronics in the harsh environment of space. It wasn’t about capturing images; it was about capturing insights.

Integration of the Varuna payload with the POEM platform. (Source: ISRO ‘s Image Gallery)

PSLV C-60 (Source: ISRO's Image Gallery)


Launch of Varuna aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C60 . (Source: ISRO's Image Gallery)

Here’s what we accomplished:

• Proving our systems in space - From SAR electronics to the Electronic Power Conditioner (EPC) and Software Defined Radio and Radar (SDRR), every key system was successfully tested and validated.
• Closing the loop - Varuna’s consistent feedback has provided critical insights to refine our technology and prepare for future missions.
• Big results, small package - Varuna’s CubeSAT form factor showcased how compact, miniaturized satellites could perform tasks traditionally done by much larger systems.
• Signals of success - We received a BPSK communication signal from Varuna—proving that the radio systems work flawlessly. As a personal touch, this signal also transmitted the names of all stakeholders who contributed to the mission.

The BPSK signal received from Varuna confirms its radio capabilities while carrying a coded acknowledgment to all who made it possible. This signal transmits the names (top right) of those who propelled Varuna from concept to space: IN-SPACe, ISRO, Techstars, Elevation Capital, Alpha Wave Global, All In Capital, Andreas, Nikunj, Vismay, Gaurav, Sumit, Jonathan, ATIRA, Micropack, National Instruments (NI), Texas Instruments (TI), Microchip, Peninsula, and Ansys. This transmission was our way of expressing gratitude and honoring those who made Varuna possible.


This is Linear Frequency Modulated Signal also called chirp.

What made Varuna special was not just its success but its purpose: it allowed us to test, learn, and evolve. Its legacy will continue to inform the development of more advanced, application-specific systems in the years to come.


Team PierSight at Sri Hari Kota (SHAR) for the launch

Drone SAR: Taking Innovation to New Heights (Literally)

The next step in our journey is closer to Earth, but just as groundbreaking. Enter Drone SAR: a terrestrial imaging project that takes the tech from Varuna’s twin qualification model and adapts it for drone-mounted SAR imaging.


EndureAir Sabal Tandem rotor UAV with PierSight’s Drone SAR.

Why is this a big deal? Here’s the fly-by:

• Spin-off success - Drone SAR is essentially Varuna’s tech in a new avatar, proving that our innovations can adapt to entirely different applications.
• Through the fog, literally - SAR imaging is a game-changer, allowing us to see through clouds, fog, and even dense forests. While Varuna focused on maritime operations, Drone SAR takes it further, offering applications on land, sea, and beyond—from target detection and disaster monitoring to soil moisture analysis and land deformation tracking.
• Testing image processing algorithms - It’s not just about capturing the image but also processing it effectively. With Drone SAR, we’ve proven our image processing capabilities to ensure accurate and actionable insights.

By testing SAR imaging on a drone platform, we’re bridging the gap between space technology and ground-based applications, bringing innovation where it’s needed most.

MATSYA: Diving into Maritime Analytics

On the maritime front, 2025 will also mark the release of MATSYA (Read announcement here), our comprehensive software solution for real-time maritime analytics. MATSYA is built to address critical challenges faced by governments, shipping companies, insurance firms, and NGOs, offering tools to monitor and protect the oceans more effectively.
Key features of MATSYA include:

• Real-time detection and monitoring - The software combines data from SAR, AIS (Automatic Identification System), optical, and terrestrial sources to identify illegal fishing, oil spills, and maritime security threats.
• Actionable insights at your fingertips - With natural language queries, users can ask questions like “What are the latest shipping patterns in this region?” or “What are the fishing patterns in the Arabian Sea?” and receive immediate, data-driven answers.
• A focus on impact - Whether it's helping governments enforce maritime regulations or aiding NGOs in conserving marine ecosystems, MATSYA is the ultimate data-driven navigator.

By turning vast oceans of data into actionable insights, MATSYA ensures that our technology delivers meaningful results to the people and organizations who need it most.



2025: Charting a New Course

With Varuna’s legacy informing every step, Drone SAR soaring to new heights, and MATSYA diving deep into maritime analytics, we’re not just solving problems—we’re defining the possibilities.

But the journey doesn’t end there. Our team is hard at work on our next commercial satellite, bringing us closer to realizing the future of all-weather, real-time and persistent surveillance for the maritime industry.

So, whether it’s testing electronics in space, capturing images through dense foliage, or spotting illegal fishing operations, we’re proving one thing: the same tech can go far, wide, and everywhere in between.

The Varuna Mission may have closed, but with Drone SAR, MATSYA and our next satellite on the horizon, we’re still riding the wave of innovation—and making sure the sky is never the limit.

PierSight's 2025 Vision: Advancing Maritime Intelligence with Drone SAR & MATSYA