Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Space Expo kick-started Wednesday with announcements of new partnerships and products by prominent start-ups in the space sector. Dhruva Space and Manastu Space have struck a deal, where Manastu’s new green space propulsion technology will be tested on Dhruva’s new satellite platform in space, while Bellatrix Aerospace unveiled a new satellite bus, called Project 200, which will operate from an ultra-low Earth orbit.
Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space’s LEAP-3 platform, which looks like a huge box and is capable of hosting other payloads or instruments when in orbit, will fly to space by the end of 2025.
It will carry satellites from various customers and fly to low Earth orbit on a rocket. Once in orbit, it will use Mumbai-based Manastu Space’s propulsion technology to move itself around to get to the right position and deploy the individual smaller satellites placed inside it.
Manastu’s new green hydrogen peroxide-based fuel and a new type of combustion chamber will be used for the purpose. The fuel is 60 percent cheaper, 50 percent more efficient and 60 percent less emissive, compared to traditional fuels in use today.
“By incorporating green propulsion systems into satellite platforms, Manastu Space can significantly enhance their agility and expand their potential applications. This technology enables more precise orbital adjustments and manoeuvrability, opening doors to new mission possibilities that were previously constrained by limitations in propulsion capabilities. Moreover, in compliance with international regulations, we can safely deorbit the satellite at the end of its mission, minimising space debris and promoting sustainable space exploration,” Tushar Jadhav, Manastu’s CEO & co-founder said in a statement.
The partnership highlights the growing number of collaborations among small but significant players in India’s space industry.
Bellatrix Aerospace’s pioneering Project 200 will fly to space and operate at an ultra-low Earth orbit (180 to 250 km from Earth). Access to this orbit around Earth is expected to provide newer vantage points for satellite technology, earth imaging and global connectivity. The test satellite bus platform has been developed and will be powered by Bellatrix’s own propulsion systems at low orbit.
Low Earth satellites typically orbit well above 400-450 km, said co-founder Rohan Ganapathy. Owing to atmospheric interference, satellites fly much higher where the air is thinner, becoming dramatically more efficient.
He explained that the launch of tiny satellites to this region of space is expected to enhance high-resolution Earth observation, telecommunications and scientific research.
“Though it is known that a satellite’s capabilities improve significantly at 200 km, limitations on propulsion technology have prevented satellites from operating at this orbit,” Ganapathy said. “Over the last four years, Bellatrix has been working on solving this. We have a breakthrough in propulsion technology that would allow satellites to operate from this orbit for years instead of deorbiting within a few days due to drag. We are not just building a propulsion solution, but a first-of-a-kind satellite capable of operating from this altitude.”
The Bengaluru Space Expo is a three-day event held by the Confederation of Indian Industry every two years, with exhibitions by various companies and space agencies, and discussions about the space sector among the players, experts and stakeholders.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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