NEW DELHI: Space Machines Company , an Australian-Indian in-space servicing firm, has forged strategic partnerships with two Indian space industry leaders — aerospace and defence manufacturer Ananth Technologies ,and Digantara , space infrastructure company easing space operations and space traffic management. These collaborations mark a significant milestone in Space Machines Company’s mission to revolutionise space operations and traffic management.
The partnerships will play a pivotal role in the upcoming Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India 's Technology, Research and Innovation) mission and the launch of Space Machines’s second Optimus satellite. Scheduled for 2026, the satellite will be deployed aboard Isro’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd’s cutting-edge Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
Space Machines CEO and co-founder Rajat Kulshrestha formally announced and signed the two key agreements on Wednesday at Bengaluru Space Expo 2024. “These partnerships represent a significant milestone for both the Space MAITRI mission and Australia's growing connection with India's space sector. We'll work closely with Ananth Technologies and Digantara throughout the Space MAITRI project lifecycle, leveraging each company's advanced engineering, logistic and situation space awareness capabilities to fulfil the joint Australian-Indian mission of building a more sustainable space future," he said.
Ananth Technologies will provide assembly integration and testing and comprehensive engineering and logistics support throughout the Space MAITRI program. This will include the safe transportation and handling of all spacecraft components in India, extensive testing in its state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities in Bengaluru, and launch site spacecraft fuelling.
Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, Ananth Technologies CMD, says, “This agreement is also an opportunity to showcase India's growing test and launch capabilities and how our space sector is working with international partners to address global opportunities and challenges.”
Australian high commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, said the latest partnership agreements underscore Australia’s growing strategic partnership with India. “It’s exciting to see the Space MAITRI mission fulfil its purpose of bringing industry-leading companies, partners and technologies from across Australia and India together,” he said. Reacting on tie-up, Gopal Baglay, Indian high commissioner to Australia, said, “We're committed to enhancing ties between India and Australia, especially in areas directly impacting the people of both countries. Space exploration and technology are crucial for economic growth and improving the quality of life on Earth. Indian companies like Ananth Technologies and Digantara are well-positioned to realise the objectives of the Space MAITRI mission and contribute to the future of sustainable in-space services.”
The Australian govt invested $8.5 million in the Space MAITRI mission in April this year through the Australian Space Agency’s $18 million International Space Investment India Projects programme. The head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, said these signings were another step towards deepening Australia's space heritage and further strengthening our relationship with India.
The partnerships will play a pivotal role in the upcoming Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India 's Technology, Research and Innovation) mission and the launch of Space Machines’s second Optimus satellite. Scheduled for 2026, the satellite will be deployed aboard Isro’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd’s cutting-edge Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
Space Machines CEO and co-founder Rajat Kulshrestha formally announced and signed the two key agreements on Wednesday at Bengaluru Space Expo 2024. “These partnerships represent a significant milestone for both the Space MAITRI mission and Australia's growing connection with India's space sector. We'll work closely with Ananth Technologies and Digantara throughout the Space MAITRI project lifecycle, leveraging each company's advanced engineering, logistic and situation space awareness capabilities to fulfil the joint Australian-Indian mission of building a more sustainable space future," he said.
Ananth Technologies will provide assembly integration and testing and comprehensive engineering and logistics support throughout the Space MAITRI program. This will include the safe transportation and handling of all spacecraft components in India, extensive testing in its state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities in Bengaluru, and launch site spacecraft fuelling.
Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, Ananth Technologies CMD, says, “This agreement is also an opportunity to showcase India's growing test and launch capabilities and how our space sector is working with international partners to address global opportunities and challenges.”
Australian high commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, said the latest partnership agreements underscore Australia’s growing strategic partnership with India. “It’s exciting to see the Space MAITRI mission fulfil its purpose of bringing industry-leading companies, partners and technologies from across Australia and India together,” he said. Reacting on tie-up, Gopal Baglay, Indian high commissioner to Australia, said, “We're committed to enhancing ties between India and Australia, especially in areas directly impacting the people of both countries. Space exploration and technology are crucial for economic growth and improving the quality of life on Earth. Indian companies like Ananth Technologies and Digantara are well-positioned to realise the objectives of the Space MAITRI mission and contribute to the future of sustainable in-space services.”
The Australian govt invested $8.5 million in the Space MAITRI mission in April this year through the Australian Space Agency’s $18 million International Space Investment India Projects programme. The head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, said these signings were another step towards deepening Australia's space heritage and further strengthening our relationship with India.
