Tatas and Satellogic put into orbit first optical satellite with sub-metre resolution

Last November, TASL and Satellogic announced their collaboration for developing local space technology in India

By Ajai Shukla

Business Standard, 9th April 24

 

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), India’s leading private firm for aerospace and defence solutions, and Satellogic Inc, the US-based leader in sub-metre resolution earth observation (EO) data collection, announced on Monday the successful launch into space of TASL’s TSAT-1A satellite aboard the Bandwagon-1 mission.

 

The Bandwagon-1 mission was launched on Sunday aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.

 

TSAT-1A has been assembled in TASL’s assembly, integration and testing (AIT) plant at its Vemagal facility in Karnataka. This follows the collaboration agreement signed between TASL and Satellogic in November 2023.

 

The agreement leverages Satellogic’s expertise in developing and integrating advanced Earth Observation satellites in India and TASL’s capability to undertake complex system integration. 

 

In November, the two firms announced: “TASL and Satellogic will collaborate on the development of a new satellite design and work together to integrate multiple payloads on a single satellite that will generate a diverse range of data over India.”

 

“This milestone shows TASL’s commitment to the space sector. This is a first step. Our partnership with Satellogic has enabled us to deliver an assembled and tested in India, best-in-class, sub-metre optical satellite which was launched by SpaceX,” said TASL chief, Sukaran Singh.

 

“We are grateful for the support we have received from various Indian Government authorities for required permissions,” said Singh.

 

In a media release on Monday, TSAT-1A said it would deliver “high-resolution optical satellite images with increased collection capacity, dynamic range, and low-latency delivery through its multispectral and hyperspectral capabilities.”

 

Congratulating both teams on their collaboration, Satellogic chief Emiliano Kargieman said: “This illustrates the flexibility of Satellogic’s space systems program, offering governments and enterprises the ability to tailor a proven satellite model for their specific needs, and reach orbit within a favourable time frame.” 

 

Last November, TASL and Satellogic announced their collaboration for developing local space technology in India. This collaboration is a first step in TASL’s satellite strategy and a milestone in Satellogic’s entry into India’s fast-growing defence and commercial market.

 

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