Pune: Australian in-space servicing pioneer, Space Machines Company, has announced strategic partnerships with India’s leading aerospace firms, Ananth Technologies and Digantara, to advance its Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research, and Innovation) initiative.
This collaboration marks a major step in revolutionizing space operations and space traffic management, aligning the two countries in a mission that reflects their growing cooperation in the space sector.
The Space MAITRI mission will include the launch of Space Machines Company’s second satellite, Optimus, scheduled for 2026. This satellite will be deployed using NewSpace India Limited's (NSIL) cutting-edge Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), further showcasing India's space launch capabilities.
The agreements were formally signed by Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and Co-Founder of Space Machines Company, at the prestigious Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX) 2024 in India.
Kulshrestha highlighted the significance of these partnerships, noting, “The collaboration with Ananth Technologies and Digantara is a landmark moment for the Space MAITRI mission and the broader Australia-India space relationship. Through the combined expertise of these leading companies, we aim to build a more sustainable and secure future in space.”
Ananth Technologies will play a crucial role in the mission, providing Assembly Integration and Testing (AIT) as well as comprehensive engineering and logistics support.
Their involvement includes the safe transportation of spacecraft components within India, rigorous testing in their state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities in Bengaluru, and spacecraft fueling at the launch site. The partnership ensures that Space Machines Company's second Optimus satellite is fully integrated and prepared for the SSLV launch.
Ananth Technologies Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, expressed confidence in the mission's success: "We are globally renowned for our expertise in precision engineering and satellite integration. Our partnership with Space Machines Company further showcases India's capabilities in supporting international missions while addressing global space challenges."
Digantara, known for its cutting-edge space infrastructure, will provide critical situational awareness for the mission. The company’s advanced electro-optical payload will be integrated into the Optimus satellite, enabling it to track and manage resident space objects, including operational satellites, defunct satellites, and space debris.
This capability is essential for conducting close-approach maneuvers during in-orbit operations, a key objective of the Space MAITRI mission.
Anirudh Sharma, CEO of Digantara, emphasized the mission's importance: "Our collaboration with Space Machines Company will enable Optimus to safely navigate in space, ensuring that in-orbit operations are both effective and sustainable."