New Delhi: The Polar Access 1 mission by Dhruva Space was on ISRO’s PSLV-C62 flight that deviated from its flight path towards the end of a planned coast
by the third stage. Dhruva Space enabled 10 space missions serving six Indian states and two Nations on board the rocket. The mission was the first in Polar Access programme that provides structured, repeated access to Sun-Synchronous Orbits (SSO). These orbits are suitable for Earth observing satellites as the Sun is always at a consistent angle, providing uniform lighting conditions. Dhruva Space provided four satellites, five separation systems, and multiple ground stations as part of its full-stack infrastructure.
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The satellites and deployers on the mission with ground stations in the background. (Image Credit: Dhruva Space).
For the payloads on the mission, Dhruva Space provided its P-DoT satellite platform, its DSOD-1U and DSOD-6U separation systems, and Ground-Station-as-a-Service (GSaaS), for which Dhruva Space received authorisation from IN-SPACe in 2024. IN-SPACe is the single window clearing agency for all operations in space by Indian entitites. Dhruva Space also provided the integration services with the launch vehicle. All of these technologies are available as a full-stack offering, with the individual elements available as technology solutions. On board the mission was the first satellite from Odisha, as well as the first satellite from the Northeast Region.
Commercial Satellites on the Polar Access 1 mission
For the Munal satellite from Nepal for mapping vegetation density and environmental monitoring, Dhruva Space provided the DSOD-1U orbital deployer. The CGUSAT-1 by the CV Raman Global University in Odisha used the P-DoT satellite platform by Dhruva Space. For the DSAT-1 by Dayananda Sagar University in Bengaluru, Dhruva Space provided its P-DoT satellite platform, the DSOD-1U deployer along with a VHF/UHF Ground Station at the campus. The LACHIT-1 satellite developed by Assam Don Bosco University was delivered as part of the Accelerated Space Technology Readiness and Access (ASTRA) programme by Dhruva Space.
The official patch of the mission. (Image Credit: Dhruva Space).
The technology demonstrations satellite by the Laxman Gyanpith School in Ahmedabad was an interesting effort to launch an ‘artificial star’, with an LED array visible from the ground. Dhruva Space also launched its own THYBOLT-3 mission with its P-DoT platform for a satellite-enabled disaster communication network through amateur radio. Dhruva Space provided the DSOD-1U deployer. CGUSAT-1, DSAT-1, LACHIT-1 and THYBOLT-3 would all have been made available to the global amateur radio community for storing and forwarding messages and experimentation.
A full-stack space infrastructure company
Dhruva Space also provided launch integration, and the DSOD-6U for TakeMe2Space, that launched its MOI-1 mission with on-board AI and the MIRA Space Telescope by Eon Space Labs. Then Dhruva Space also supported the OrbitAID mission AyulSat to demonstrate its patented Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port (SIDRP) through ground stations. The mission was to demonstrate satellite servicing internally, through the transfer of fuel, power and data in orbit.
The satellites integrated into the rocket. (Image Credit: ISRO).
Prior to the launch, cofounder and CTO of Dhruva Space, Abhay Egoor had said, “The future is very exciting. Polar Access-1 operationalises a structured, repeatable pathway that simplifies access to orbit while preserving mission-grade reliability. It’s symbolic of both the accelerating commercial maturity of India’s private Space Tech sector and Dhruva’s commitment to enabling institutions to fly real missions, build hands-on expertise, and contribute meaningfully to the global Space ecosystem through our approach to vertical integration. We are grateful to ISRO, NSIL, and IN-SPACe for entrusting Dhruva Space as a key private-sector mission enabler, complementing the Government of India’s national Space capabilities. We also thank our customers for placing their trust in Dhruva Space as we deliver these missions to orbit.”
