Innovative Space Traffic Management by Indian Startup Digantara
Managing traffic in outer space
Image: The Times Of India
Anirudh Sharma, a dropout from Lovely Professional University, co-founded Digantara to develop technology for tracking space debris. The startup aims to manage space traffic, offering solutions to avoid satellite collisions, with a focus on military applications. It has secured funding and built a team of around 150 engineers in Bengaluru.
- 01Digantara was founded in 2020 by Anirudh Sharma and his friends to address Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
- 02The startup has developed a patented LiDAR-based system for tracking space debris and active satellites.
- 03Digantara operates a network of six telescopes and three satellites, including one set to launch in 2025.
- 04The company primarily serves military clients, including Indian defence agencies and international space organizations.
- 05Challenges included developing advanced optical systems in India and the need for retraining deep-tech talent.
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Anirudh Sharma, who left Lovely Professional University to pursue his passion for space technology, co-founded Digantara in 2020. The startup focuses on Space Situational Awareness (SSA), specifically tracking space debris to prevent collisions among the over 17,000 active satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Digantara has developed a patented LiDAR-based system and operates a network of six telescopes and three satellites to monitor space activity. With a team of around 150 engineers, the company aims to provide actionable intelligence for satellite navigation. Their primary clients include military organizations such as the Indian defence agencies and international space commands. Despite challenges in supply chains and talent acquisition, the surge in satellite launches has increased the demand for effective space traffic management. Sharma envisions space becoming a critical domain of warfare, necessitating advanced navigation systems as humanity explores beyond Earth.
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The development of space traffic management systems can enhance satellite safety and operational efficiency, benefiting both military and commercial sectors.
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