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Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has approved two space startups –Dhruva Space and Digantara to launch their payloads in space. 

This is the first time that two privately-owned Indian enterprises will be launching payloads in space. Earlier, ISRO was the only government body that was permitted to launch in space. 

“The first two launch authorisations issued by IN-SPACe is an important milestone and marks the beginning of private space sector launches in India,” Pawan Kumar Goenka, IN-SPACe Chairman said. 

Dhruva’s payload Dhruva Space Satellite Orbital Deployer and Digantara’s payload ROBust Integrating Proton Fluence Meter will be launched on June 30. 

Founded in 2012 by Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti, Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space offers full-stack space engineering solutions for non-military and military purposes across the globe. It provides satellites along with Earth stations and launch services to its clients.

Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO of Dhruva Space, said “Our journey as India’s first space-technology startup takes a big leap after becoming the first startup to get authorisation from IN-SPACe. We thank IN-SPACe and ISRO, and are excited to lead the private industry-led space revolution in India.”

Founded by Anirudh Sharma and Rahul Rawat, Bengaluru-based Digantara offers end-to-end solutions for carrying out sustainable space operations. To reduce waste in space, it has developed a space network called Space Situational Awareness along with platform and data products. 

In 2021, Digantara secured $2.5 Mn in its seed funding round from Kalaari Capital. The funds were raised for product development and the launch of its demonstration satellite. 

Ahmedabad-based IN-SPACe is the brainchild of the Department of Space. It basically sanctions, regulates, and promotes space activities of non-governmental private entities (NGEs) in India.

Some of the startups that are currently working along with In-SPACe are Agnikul, Skyroot, Dhruva Space, Digantara and Astrome. 

The Prime Minister had earlier said that 100 space startups are presently working in the country’s space sector. Most of these startups are either disrupting the space sector or addressing the pressing issues faced by the space industry,  

According to a report, India owns a 2-3% share of the global space market, which is estimated to reach $423 Bn by 2030. The country’s share is likely to expand by 48% CAGR by 2030.