(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) LEAP-1 Satellite Mission

(SEPTEMBER-2025)

LEAP-1 Satellite Mission

Dhruva Space’s LEAP-1 satellite was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as part of an Indo-Australian-American collaborative mission.

Key highlights:

• The mission demonstrated advanced AI and hyperspectral Earth observation payloads.

• This mission marks a milestone for Dhruva Space, showcasing the capabilities of its P-30 satellite bus and transitioning the company from technology demonstrations to customer-driven deployments for hosting payloads in orbit.

Mission Details:

• Mission Name: Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads (LEAP-1) – 1.

• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9

• Launch site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA

• Primary Payload: Dhruva Space’s P-30 satellite bus.

Hosted Payloads:

• Nexus‑01: An advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) module developed by Akula Tech, designed for real- time processing.

• Esperesso: A hyperspectral imaging payload developed by Esper Satellites for OTR-2, aimed at detailed Earth observation. 

• Integrated Services: Dhruva Space also offered Ground Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS) and its Integrated Space Operations & Command Suite (ISOCS) for mission management and data downlinking. 

• Payload capacity: Mass up to 15kg; Volume up to 12U; Power up to 50W

• Satellite Bus: P-30 – compact, modular, designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Mission Objectives

• To demonstrate In-Orbit Validation (IOV) and In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) capabilities.

• To promote multi-payload hosting on small satellite platforms.

• To foster commercial and technological collaboration in space.

Significance of the collaboration

• India: Dhruva Space, a Hyderabad-based spacetech  startup, is making strides in the global space industry.  The LEAP-1 mission represents its first commercial endeavor, transitioning from technology demonstrations to customer-driven satellite deployments.

• Australia: The mission highlights Australia’s growing presence in the space sector, with Akula Tech and Esper Satellites contributing advanced technologies.

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Courtesy: Science Reporter