Three Startups to Launch Payloads Aboard ISRO PSLV - C58 XPoSat Mission on January 1

Space News ,India :- Three pioneering space technology companies, Dhruva Space from Hyderabad, Bellatrix Aerospace from Bangalore, and TakeMe2Space (TM2Space), are poised to launch their innovative payloads on the upcoming Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) – C58 XPoSat Mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) next Monday.

The payloads are destined for the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-3) on the launch vehicle, scheduled to ascend from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh at 9:10 AM, according to a report by Moneycontrol.

Dhruva Space, headquartered in Hyderabad, is gearing up to introduce its LEAPTD (Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Technologies Technology Demonstrator) to showcase microsatellite subsystems. Simultaneously, Bellatrix Aerospace plans to deploy two payloads, including Rudra 0.3 HPGP, a green monopropellant thruster essential for maintaining satellite orbits over their 10-15 year lifespan, and ARKA 200.

This collaborative effort follows their previous joint venture in April 2023 when Bellatrix and Dhruva Space shared space in the POEM module of PSLV-C55 to launch individual payloads. Furthermore, TM2Space, based in Bangalore, will contribute to the mission with the launch of the Radiation Shielding Experiments Module, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of tantalum coating.

India, which achieved a historic milestone in 2022 with the inaugural private rocket launch by Skyroot and numerous satellite launches, continues to attract global attention to its growing space sector.

In October, Skyroot Aerospace unveiled its indigenously built rocket, Vikram-I, at its new headquarters, marking another significant stride in the country space capabilities.

The spacetech sector in India has witnessed remarkable growth, expanding from a single startup in 2014 to a noteworthy count of 189 in 2023. According to Inc42 Indian Spacetech Start-Up Landscape & Market Opportunity Report 2023, the spacetech sector is projected to reach a market size of $77 billion by 2030.

Earlier this year, Skyroot secured INR 225 crore (approximately $27.5 million) in a Pre-Series C funding round led by Temasek, propelling its growth through increased investments in infrastructure, technology leadership reinforcement, talent acquisition, and the enhancement of launch frequency and capabilities.

Agnikul, another spacetech startup with the distinction of owning the first private launchpad within the ISRO campus, secured INR 200 crore ($26.7 million) in October to expedite the commercialization of its existing technologies.