Dhruva Space receives authorisation from IN-SPACe for ground station as a service (GSaaS)

Dhruva Space, a Hyderabad-based full-stack Space Engineering solutions provider based in Hyderabad, has been granted authorisation by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SPACe) to provide Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS).

The startup said that the authorisation fortifies its Ground segment offerings and represents a significant advancement in its ability to commercially support a wide range of Space missions efficiently and effectively.

Expansion of ground station capabilities

Till date, Dhruva Space has indigenously designed and developed six Ground Stations in VHF and UHF bands, two Ground Stations in S and/or X bands.

In 2021, the startup initiated internal research and development by establishing its S&X Ground Station at IIT-Hyderabad, now a cornerstone of the company’s Ground segment solutions. 

The startup said the facility will play a pivotal role in supporting its upcoming LEAP-1 hosted payload mission, which is scheduled for later in 2024. 

Dhruva Space is also in talks with several global Ground Station operators to expand its now India-based network to a global network of Earth Stations, providing unfettered access to operate satellites from anywhere in the world and vice versa.

Challenges in setting up ground stations

Dhurva Space said that setting up ground stations in India involves high upfront operational costs. Access to Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS) provides a cost-effective alternative by offering shared infrastructure, reducing financial barriers for satellite operators.

GSaaS in equatorial regions with low Earth inclination orbits offers extended satellite visibility, reduced latency, and enhanced signal reliability due to minimal atmospheric interference.

The startup said these strategically positioned services optimize global satellite operations for various missions, including telecommunications and remote sensing, ensuring efficient data transmission and operational flexibility.

Additionally, India's strategic geographical location enhances GSaaS support for launch vehicle activities, it said.

Democratizing access to advanced technology

In India, access to advanced ground station technology and expertise is limited. GSaaS democratizes access to state-of-the-art ground station services, allowing emerging private companies to utilize high-quality infrastructure.

Dhruva Space offers GSaaS with a flexible service model, enabling satellite operators to adjust their ground station resources as needed, thereby enhancing operational ability.

GSaaS resolves global access challenges to ground stations while providing essential mission operations services for direct delivery of mission-critical data to designated platforms.

Providing startups access to advanced Ground Station facilities

Dhruva Space said the authorisation empowers them to offer critical ground support, enabling real-time satellite communication and control. 

Additionally, the GSaaS authorisation fosters innovation by providing startups access to advanced Ground Station facilities, accelerating research and development, and focusing resources on mission objectives.

“In the upcoming decade, significant transformations in Space interaction are anticipated, with GSaaS poised to play a pivotal role in this evolution. 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. We are proud to share that our GSaaS is designed to support an increasingly democratised Space sector so commercial ventures and global communications can continue to flourish," said Sanjay Nekkanti, Chief Executive Officer, Dhruva Space.