Bengaluru-based space technology startup Digantara successfully launched its second satellite, Pushan-Alpha, on January 3 aboard SpaceX‘s Transporter 6 mission.

This is the latest in a series of satellite launches in India’s space technology ecosystem. In 2022, Pixxel launched the Anand satellite from another SpaceX rocket, and Dhruva Space launched the Thybolt satellite from an ISRO launch vehicle.

Digantara’s satellite, named after the Hindu sun god, will serve as a space weather testbed in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The European Space Agency (ESA) defines SSO as a polar orbit (north to south) in which satellites orbit over polar regions and are synchronised with the sun.

Digantara’s Pushan-Alpha in SSO will enhance Space Situational Awareness (SSA) applications.

The EU Satellite Centre describes SSA as knowledge of the space environment, including the position and function of space objects and space weather phenomena.

The Bengaluru-based space technology startup is building its own SSA capabilities using ground and space infrastructure to ensure sustainable space operations.

The company recently signed an agreement with the Uttarakhand state government to set up India’s first commercial space situational observatory. The observatory is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2023, Digantara said in a statement.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-incubated startup received $2.5 million in seed funding from Kalaari Capital in 2021. Since then, it has been working to build its sovereign SSA capability.

In July 2022, Digantara launched its first satellite, ROBI, using an ISRO rocket. Like Pushan-Alpha, ROBI is a space-based weather monitoring system.