Dhruva Space Gets In-SPACe Authorisation To Offer Ground Station Services

Spacetech startup Dhruva Space has received authorisation from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SPACe) to offer ground stations as a service (GSaaS). 

In a statement, Dhruva said that the approval will enable it to commercially support a wide range of space missions, offer critical ground support, and enable real-time satellite communication and control. 

The startup said that the nod will also allow it to reduce operational costs, offer its clients access to ground station facilities, and accelerate research and development (R&D). 

Commenting on the development, Dhruva founder and CEO Sanjay Nekkanti said, “… Dhruva Space is excited to receive authorisation from IN-SPACe for our ground station as a service initiative across India. This milestone not only underscores our commitment to advancing space technology but also reinforces our role in supporting the growing number of space startups aiming to validate their spacecraft in orbit…”

Under the new GSaaS offering, Dhruva said it will offer “cost effective” ground station infrastructure to satellite operators. 

Dhruva could also be looking to tap into spacetech startups looking to launch their satellites from India as the country’s strategic geographical location offers extended satellite visibility, reduced latency, and enhanced signal reliability due to minimal atmospheric interference. 

The startup also said that its new offering will look to address issues such as difficulties in scaling up ground station capabilities based on a given mission needs with its “flexible” GSaaS model. It added that the new product will provide direct delivery of mission-critical data to designated platforms.

Founded in 2012 by Nekkanti, Dhruva is a Hyderabad-based full-stack spacetech startup that offers integrated solutions such as launch services as well as access to owning and operating space-based assets. 

The startup launched an independently constructed satellite deployment system that is compatible with the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) launch vehicle in 2023. It has completed four space missions in the past two years.

The approval comes two months after the spacetech startup marked the final close of its Series A funding round at INR 123 Cr. The round saw participation from Indian Angel Network Alpha Fund, Blue Ashva Capital, Silverneedle Ventures, IvyCap Ventures, Blume Founders Fund, among others.

The spacetech startup recently claimed that it clocked INR 15 Cr in total revenue in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24). 

The development comes at a time when Indian spacetech space is witnessing healthy investor traction despite the ongoing funding winter. 

The cost-effective and quality solutions have seen a slew of companies lining up to use the services of these homegrown players. As a result, a host of spacetech startups have emerged out of the country, including Agnikul Cosmos, Bellatrix Aerospace, and Skyroot Aerospace. 

As per an Inc42 report, the Indian spacetech sector is projected to reach a market size of $77 Bn by 2030. 

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