Indian startups deploy AI and thermal payloads on Falcon 9

On October 2, 2026, three Indian space startups made significant strides in technology by successfully deploying payloads aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-18 mission. The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and included around 130 payloads, with notable contributions from Dhruva Space, TakeMe2Space, and SatLeo Labs. Each startup aimed to demonstrate innovative technologies that enhance India's burgeoning private space sector.

The first payload, Dhruva Space's LEAP-2 satellite, is part of their initiative to provide hosted-payload opportunities. This satellite utilizes the company’s P-30 platform and incorporates France's Sodern HORUS star tracker for an in-orbit demonstration. The successful deployment of LEAP-2 marks a vital step for Dhruva Space as it seeks to establish its position in the commercial space market.

TakeMe2Space introduced MOI-1A, recognized as India’s first orbital computing satellite. It features an Nvidia Jetson Orin NX computing system capable of 117 TOPS of processing power. This satellite allows for on-orbit data processing, enabling customers to upload AI models and receive processed insights instead of raw data. MOI-1A replaces an earlier spacecraft lost in a previous launch, reflecting resilience and innovation in the face of challenges.

SatLeo Labs presented TAPAS-1, a thermal payload designed to measure land-surface temperatures using long-wave infrared sensing. This CubeSat, weighing approximately 3 kg, offers capabilities that conventional optical cameras cannot provide, such as monitoring urban heat and agricultural conditions. TAPAS-1 is part of a larger vision to develop a constellation of thermal-imaging satellites, enhancing India's capabilities in Earth observation.

The successful launch of these payloads illustrates the growing capabilities of Indian startups in advanced technologies such as AI and thermal imaging. As these companies continue to innovate and expand their offerings, they contribute to India's position as a competitive player in the global space industry. The missions signify a broader trend of Indian startups moving beyond traditional satellite manufacturing to explore new frontiers in space technology and commercial applications.