Sub-metre optical satellite assembled, tested in India deployed into space: TASL

PTI, Apr 8, 2024, 4:18 PM IST

Credit: X / @tataadvanced

New Delhi: Tata Advanced Systems Limited on Monday announced the ”successful deployment” into space of its sub-metre optical satellite that was assembled and tested in India.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched TSAT-1A satellite from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in the US on Sunday (April 7), Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) said in a statement.

”TSAT-1A will deliver high-resolution optical satellite images with increased collection capacity, dynamic range, and low-latency delivery through its multispectral and hyperspectral capabilities,” the company said.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, TASL is a significant player for aerospace and defence solutions in India.

TASL, India’s leading private sector player for aerospace and defence solutions, and Satellogic Inc, a leader in sub-metre resolution Earth Observation data collection, ”today announced the successful deployment into space of TASL’s TSAT-1A satellite aboard the Bandwagon-1 mission, which SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket”, the statement said.

This is a first step for TASL in space sector!

Built in India TSAT-1A First Sub-metre Resolution Optical Satellite Reaches Orbit.

We announce the successful launch and deployment of TASL’s TSAT-1A satellite aboard the Bandwagon-1 mission by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket 🚀. pic.twitter.com/T8Zg1Thpo3

— Tata Advanced Systems (Tata Aerospace & Defence) (@tataadvanced) April 8, 2024

TSAT-1A was assembled in TASL’s Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) plant at its Vemagal facility in Karnataka, it said.

This achievement follows the collaboration agreement signed between TASL and Satellogic in November, leveraging Satellogic’s expertise to develop and integrate an advanced Earth Observation satellite in India and TASL’s capability to undertake complex system integration, it added.

”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. We are grateful for the support we have received from various Indian government authorities for required permissions,” TASL CEO and Managing Director Sukaran Singh was quoted as saying in the statement.

”Congratulations to both teams on the efficient collaboration that brought TSAT-1A to life and ready for launch,” the statement quoted Satellogic CEO Emiliano Kargieman as saying.