Dhruva Space to Launch 2 Payloads on Its Own Satellite Platform

Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space will launch its first commercial mission, LEAP-1, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the 3rd quarter of FY25, as per news reports. The mission marks the company’s move from test deployments to customer-focused satellite operations.

Payloads from Australian Firms

2 payloads will be hosted on this mission, Nexus-01 from Akula Tech and OTR-2 from Esper Satellites. Both companies are based in Australia. The satellite platform being used is Dhruva’s indigenously developed P-30.

The P-30 platform was previously space-qualified during ISRO’s PSLV-C58 mission in January 2024. That mission, known as LEAP-TD, was a part of ISRO’s POEM-3 initiative and helped validate the platform in orbit.

AI and Hyperspectral Imaging Payloads

Nexus-01 is equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities and supports onboard processing and model retraining. OTR-2 carries a hyperspectral imager designed to collect high-resolution Earth observation data for various industries.

The combined payload functions target areas such as agriculture, mining, disaster monitoring, and environmental assessment. Nexus-01 is for flexible use cases like fire detection and real-time analysis.

Dhruva Space will operate the mission through its Ground Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS) model. It will also use its Integrated Space Operations and Command Suite (ISOCS) for data downlinking and satellite control.

Mission Patch and Symbolism

The LEAP-1 mission patch includes elements representing India, Australia, and the United States. It also features symbols for artificial intelligence and Earth imaging.

Read More: Elon Musk Backed Starlink Gets the Indian Govt's Approval for Satellite Internet!

Conclusion

With LEAP-1, Dhruva Space will carry international customer payloads using its homegrown satellite platform for the first time. The mission is part of the company’s LEAP initiative, aimed at supporting hosted payload launches on a commercial scale.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.