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News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
Atmanirbhar In Space: How Modi Is Aligning India For Geostrategic Gains
Last Updated: PM Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' is now profoundly shaping its trajectory in the space sector, transforming it into a critical pillar of national power & strategic autonomy The Indian Space Congress 2025 is in full session in Delhi. The meeting is lined with bureaucrats, decision-makers, policy personnel and of course, private players in the space sector looking to make a difference and boost India's space sector. And there is one theme that plays common through it all, 'Atmanirbharta'. PM Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' is now profoundly shaping its trajectory in the space sector, transforming it into a critical pillar of national power and strategic autonomy. This push is evident in a series of landmark initiatives, from the successful launch of private satellite constellations to ambitious long-term space exploration goals. In January this year, PM Modi hailed Pixxel's 'Firefly', India's first private satellite constellation, as a testament to India's growing strength in space innovation and a significant stride towards self-reliance, noting its capacity for high-resolution imagery. Concurrently, ISRO's successful deployment of the indigenous EOS-08 Advanced Earth Orbiting Satellite, designed for critical remote sensing applications like ocean surface wind, soil moisture, and flood detection, underscores the nation's commitment to developing its own crucial space assets, despite initial launch challenges. These advancements serve as a testament to India's growing stature in the space sector. The government's 2020 space sector reforms and the Indian Space Policy, 2023, have been instrumental in fostering this indigenous growth by opening the sector to Non-Government Entities and increasing the FDI threshold to 100%. It has invigorated the private sector, allowing it to contribute significantly to India's space ambitions. Such an approach reduces India's reliance on foreign partners for critical space infrastructure and data, thereby enhancing its strategic autonomy in areas ranging from defence to climate monitoring. Looking ahead, the ambitious Space Vision 2047 targets, including the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, an Indian Moon landing by 2040, and the development of a Next Generation Satellite Launch Vehicle by 2032, underscoring a long-term commitment to self-sufficiency in cutting-edge space capabilities. Bolstering Regional Initiatives: The IMEC Case The strategic implications of India's indigenous space capabilities extend directly to its role in key international infrastructure initiatives, most notably the India-Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor. Launched amid geopolitical complexities, IMEC requires a robust security and operational backbone, which space technologies can provide. Unlike China's Belt and Road Initiative and its Space Silk Road, which is solely led by Chinese assets, IMEC is a multi-partner endeavour involving nations with advanced space capabilities like India, the EU, and the US. It offers a unique opportunity for an international Space-IMEC Industrial Consortium, leveraging mature space technologies from commercial entities across all founding partners. India's advancements in space-based Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems are crucial for IMEC's secure operationalisation. Furthermore, the interoperability of India's NAVIC with the EU's Galileo and the US's GPS provides resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing support along the corridor. This is particularly vital for IMEC members such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, who can rely on NAVIC's comprehensive coverage of their regions, ensuring efficient land-mode trade. The innovative application of downstream space technologies, from Earth observation for optimising routes and mitigating risks to satellite communications for seamless coordination, will enhance the security and prosperity of IMEC's supply chains. The emphasis on cybersecurity and a high-speed data pipeline, linking India's IT services to West Asia and beyond, further solidifies the strategic relevance of India's space assets in making IMEC a secure and prosperous corridor. India As Global Space Powerhouse India's growing self-reliance in space is also transforming its position in the global space market, moving from a domestic focus to a Make in India for the World approach. The global-first strategies adopted by leading Indian space start-ups are a convincing sign of things to come. Bellatrix Aerospace has established offices in the US and plans to expand into Europe, securing international partnerships and sales pipelines. Similarly, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, and Agnikul Cosmos have an entirely global sales pipeline. India's space economy is projected to grow from $8.4 billion in 2023 to $44 billion by 2033 and the country aims to capture 10% of the global space economy by 2030. International forums like the India Space Congress 2025 serve as crucial 'matchmaking hubs" for institutional investors, highlighting India's expanding commercial opportunities. Discussions on extending Earth Observation solutions to the Global South through US-India roundtables underscore India's role as a collaborative partner for shared prosperity. While the emphasis remains on indigenous development, there is a strategic pivot towards technology transfer and international cooperation, embodying the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, ensuring that India's space prowess not only serves its national interests but also contributes to global well-being and security. view comments First Published: News opinion Opinion | Atmanirbhar In Space: How Modi Is Aligning India For Geostrategic Gains Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
07-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Dhruva Space to integrate solar panel on Pixxel's hyperspectral satellites
In a significant advancement for India's burgeoning private space sector, Dhruva Space, an engineering solutions company is set to integrate its space-grade solar panels into Pixxel's next satellite partnership points to the growing synergy between Indian space-tech companies in developing globally competitive Space has made strides in designing and developing small satellites and key subsystems, including their sophisticated Solis+ solar panels. These panels, engineered with high-efficiency triple-junction GaAs solar cells, are designed to generate substantial power in the harsh conditions of The company has already been successful in exporting these panels to various countries, demonstrating their global market known for its innovative satellite imaging technologies, plans to utilise the Solis+ panels to power their upcoming satellite meets Space partners with @ partnership brings together two mission-driven companies building in India for the world; with Pixxel's hyperspectral constellation powered by Dhruva Space's indigenously developed Solis+ solar panels. Dhruva Space (@DhruvaSpace) July 7, 2025Kshitij Khandelwal, Founder and CTO of Pixxel, stated, "Power systems are mission-critical, and there's no room for errors in space. As we expand our capabilities, we're building with partners who bring deep technical ability and a shared focus on mission readiness, and Dhruva Space exemplifies both."This collaboration reflects a shared drive to engineering excellence and a commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible satellite data to those tackling global Egoor, CTO and Co-founder of Dhruva Space, expressed pride in the partnership, noting, "This partnership represents the best of India's NewSpace capabilities coming together." He emphasised the significance of Dhruva Space's role in designing, manufacturing, and exporting Space-grade solar panels, a feat achieved by only a few players globally."Furthering their commitment to innovation, Dhruva Space is establishing a new spacecraft manufacturing facility in South 6.5 acres and featuring 2,80,000 square feet of built-up space, this facility includes dedicated areas for solar array design and spacecraft assembly, integration, and partnership not only signifies a step forward in satellite technology but also highlights the increasing collaboration and interdependence within India's private space sector, marking a new era of growth and innovation for the country's space capabilities.- Ends
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Made-in-India solar tech Dhruva Space to power Pixxel's hyperspectral satellites in NewSpace milestone
I observe a Starlink satellite gracefully orbiting Earth, its solar panels gleaming in the sunlight against the backdrop of the planet's curvature. BENGALURU: Space startups Dhruva Space and Pixxel have entered a strategic partnership that will see Dhruva 's space-grade solar panels, 'Solis+', integrated into Pixxel's next-generation satellite fleet. 'The partnership will combine Dhruva's advanced power systems with Pixxel's high-resolution Earth observation satellites. Pixxel's upcoming fleet builds on the successful 2025 launch of its Firefly satellites, which delivered the world's first 5-meter commercial hyperspectral imagery,' Dhruva said Monday. Pixxel founder and CTO Kshitij Khandelwal, pointing out that power systems are mission-critical, and there's no room for errors in space, said, as Pixxel expands capabilities, they're building with partners who bring deep technical ability and a shared focus on mission readiness. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru 'Dhruva Space's Solis+, manufactured in-house, utilise high-efficiency (up to 30%) triple-junction GaAs solar cells and are engineered for extreme reliability in orbit. With power capacities scaling up to several kilowatts, Solis+ is ideally suited for larger satellite missions,' Dhruva said. The panels are already gaining international traction, with exports underway to the UAE, Austria, Australia, and France. In Nov 2024, the company successfully delivered Solis+ units to the Government of India. 'This partnership represents the best of India's NewSpace capabilities coming together. There are very few global players that design, manufacture, qualify, and export space-grade solar panels. This is not just a hardware agreement — it's a statement that Indian spacetech companies are scaling with flight heritage and global readiness,' Dhruva CTO and co-founder Abhay Egoor, said.
Entrepreneur
11-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Pixxel Secures Second Defence Grant to Develop Advanced Space Imaging Payloads for IAF
The iDEX scheme, under the Ministry of Defence, is designed to spur the development of prototypes and advanced technologies by startups and small enterprises You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Pixxel, a space technology company headquartered in Bengaluru, has secured a second grant under the Indian Ministry of Defence's iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) initiative, aimed at accelerating indigenous innovation for the country's defence forces. The new SPARK Grant—awarded to its subsidiary, SpacePixxel Pvt Ltd—will support the development of hyperspectral and Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) payloads for the Indian Air Force. The award, part of the iDEX DISC 8 Challenge 6.2, marks a continued collaboration between Pixxel and the Indian defence ecosystem. It builds on the company's earlier selection under the iDEX Prime (Space) Mission DefSpace Challenge in 2023, which focused on miniaturised multi-payload satellite development. Pixxel, known for constructing what it claims is the world's highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation, said it will now focus on delivering security-grade imaging technology designed for both airborne and space-based platforms. These next-generation payloads are expected to enhance India's remote sensing capabilities, enabling high-precision monitoring and analysis in strategic scenarios. "This grant is a proud milestone in our journey to put India at the forefront of next-generation aerospace innovation," said Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel, in a statement. "We're honoured to deepen our partnership with the Government of India and advance our mission of building cutting-edge space infrastructure right here at home." Hyperspectral imaging technology captures detailed spectral data across hundreds of wavelengths, offering advantages in detecting materials, identifying terrain changes, and monitoring environmental or military assets. The addition of MWIR capability would allow for enhanced thermal imaging, critical in low-light or night-time operations. The iDEX scheme, under the Ministry of Defence, is designed to spur the development of prototypes and advanced technologies by startups and small enterprises. Pixxel's repeated selection for support highlights the government's growing trust in the company's technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities. With three satellites already in orbit and more expected to launch, Pixxel has been steadily expanding its footprint in the space-based Earth observation sector. Its in-house platform, Pixxel Aurora, offers users tools to visualise and analyse hyperspectral data for a range of applications. However, the company has remained focused on its core objective: developing a real-time, high-resolution monitoring system for the planet with dual-use potential for civilian and defence stakeholders.
India Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Desi Tech-Company Pixxel to Power Next-Gen Imaging for Indian Air Force
Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based space technology company building the world's highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation, has signed a second agreement with the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. This new SPARK (Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart) grant, awarded to SpacePixxel Pvt Ltd under IDEX DISC 8 Challenge 6.2, supports the development of advanced Hyperspectral and MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) payloads, tailored for the Indian Air grant further strengthens Pixxel's collaboration with the Indian ecosystem, following its selection under the Mission DefSpace Challenge of IDEX Prime (Space) in 2023 to manufacture miniaturised multi-payload satellites. With this new milestone, Pixxel will leverage its cutting-edge optical engineering and in-house satellite manufacturing capabilities to design and build next-generation Earth observation payloads with security-grade performance. The high-resolution Hyperspectral and MWIR payloads will enhance India's airborne and space-based imaging capabilities across various operational and strategic on the occasion, Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel, said: "We're honoured to deepen our partnership with the Government of India and advance our mission of building cutting-edge space infrastructure right here at home. This grant is a proud milestone in our journey to put India at the forefront of next-generation aerospace innovation."advertisementThe grant through the iDEX scheme is designed to accelerate the development of next-generation prototypes and technologies by Indian startups and MSMEs, fostering a self-reliant and innovation-driven landscape in the country. Pixxel's continued participation underscores its commitment to supporting strategic goals and reflects the government's growing confidence in its technology three Firefly satellites already in orbit and more to launch soon, Pixxel has demonstrated its ability to build scalable, affordable, and versatile space solutions from the ground up. This is further enabled by Pixxel Aurora, the company's Earth Observation Studio, which makes hyperspectral imagery accessible and usable through intuitive visualisation, analysis, and insight generation tools. As the company expands its capabilities, it remains focused on building a real-time, high-fidelity health monitor for the planet.
