Missions success! Dhruva Space successfully Space-qualifies 3U and 6U Satellite Orbital Deployers and Orbital Link onboard ISRO’s PSLV-C55

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03 May 2023

Dhruva Space is pleased to share the successful test and Space-qualification of its 3U and 6U Satellite Orbital Deployers and Orbital Link onboard Indian Space Research Organisation’s PSLV-C55 mission. The launch took place at 14:20 IST on 22 April 2023, from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. 

For the PSLV C55 mission, Dhruva Space utilised the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) which allows in-orbit scientific experiments using the spent PS4 stage as an orbital platform.

Given interfacing of the Spacecraft with the Launch Vehicle is a critical component to deployment of satellites, Dhruva Space has indigenously developed satellite deployment systems that are compatible with the PSLV Launch Vehicle. On 30 June 2022, Dhruva Space’s 1U Satellite Orbital Deployer (DSOD-1U) was successfully Space-qualified onboard ISRO’s PSLV-C53. For PSLV-C55, the company’s 3U Satellite Orbital Deployer (DSOD-3U) saw successful deployment status shortly after launch. The 6U Satellite Orbital Deployer (DSOD-6U), designed for the storage and delayed deployment of CubeSats into Low Earth Orbit and higher orbits, rounded off a mission success with confirmation of long–duration/planned delayed deployment.

The Dhruva Space Orbital Link (DSOL) has been designed and was successfully tested and Space-qualified to support satellite-based data relay applications. Specifically, the configurable transceiver was made for Telemetry, Telecommand and Control, and payload data download with high data rates in S&X band with multiple modulations. Successful reception was confirmed from ISTRAC Port Blair Ground Station. The DSOL would be integral in Dhruva Space’s future missions with their indigenously-developed larger nano (P-30) and micro (P-90) satellite platforms.

Speaking on the successful missions, Sanjay Nekkanti, Chief Executive Officer, Dhruva Space, comments, “The PSLV-C55 launch is a very proud moment for Dhruva Space. Completing three Space missions in less than a year – one of which saw the launch and successful deployment of India’s first private satellites, authorized by IN-SPACe –, we are happy to achieve this special milestone. The global market can expect more great things to come as we continue to fly our own or fly our customers’ payloads on every PSLV mission moving forward.”

Nekkanti concludes, “Our team has worked diligently to indigenously develop and test our technology, and this successful Space mission is a testament to their hard work and dedication. We’re incredibly excited about this win and look forward to applying what we learned from these missions to our future activities. Additionally, the Deployers’ and Orbital Link testing and review support from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), commercial launch opportunity through NewSpace India limited (NSIL) and authorisation support from Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) in our efforts to build indigenous capability in the domain of small satellite technology has been paramount to the success of this Space-qualification.”

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