SpaceX successfully launched the Transporter-18 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday. Consequently, 4 Indian Companies Fly Payloads on SpaceX Falcon 9, marking a milestone for India’s private space industry. The Falcon 9 rocket delivered 130 global payloads into orbit, including cutting-edge satellites engineered by Indian space startups.
Homegrown startups orbit thermal imaging and AI computing
Furthermore, the mission highlights unprecedented technological capabilities developed by domestic private players. SatLeo Labs launched TAPAS-1, India’s first commercial thermal Earth-observation payload, using Thermal Infrared sensing to capture temperature data.
Additionally, TakeMe2Space deployed its 14 kg MOI-1A satellite equipped with 117 TOPS of onboard computing capacity. Meanwhile, Dhruva Space integrated its LEAP-2 satellite host platform, which carries multiple demonstration missions including France-based Sodern ArianeGroup’s star tracker.
| Startup Name | Satellite / Payload Name | Primary Technology & Capabilities |
| Dhruva Space | LEAP-2 | Full-stack hosting platform & in-house launch integration |
| SatLeo Labs | TAPAS-1 | Dedicated Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) thermal Earth observation |
| TakeMe2Space | MOI-1A | Onboard orbital AI computing with 117 TOPS & 9-band imager |
| Satleo / Partner | Hosted IOD Missions | In-orbit technology demonstration & validation |
IN-SPACe celebrates milestone for private space ecosystem
Therefore, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) Chairperson Pawan Kumar Goenka praised the achievements. He stated that orbital computing, thermal intelligence, and homegrown hosting platforms on a single flight display the ambition of Indian industry.
“Genuinely big day for India’s private space sector,” Goenka posted on X.
Thus, as 4 Indian Companies Fly Payloads on SpaceX Falcon 9, domestic firms prove their ability to manage end-to-end space engineering. Dhruva Space will support LEAP-2 through its owned ground station in Luleå, Sweden, ensuring reliable long-term operations.
