Scheduled for lift-off in Q3 2025, the mission will carry advanced artificial intelligence and hyperspectral imaging payloads, marking a major step forward in Indo–Australian space cooperation.
The LEAP-1 mission will see two Australian-built payloads – Akula Tech’s Nexus-01 AI module and Esper Satellite’s OTR-2 hyperspectral imager – hosted aboard Dhruva Space’s locally developed P-30 satellite platform. The launch comes off the back of Dhruva Space’s successful in-orbit qualification of the P-30 during its LEAP-TD technology demonstration on ISRO’s PSLV-C58 in January 2024.
This transition from testing to full commercial deployment signals Dhruva’s readiness to offer scalable hosted payload services globally. Their comprehensive solution includes ground station-as-a-service and a proprietary Integrated Space Operations and Command Suite for real-time satellite control and data downlink.
The payloads showcase cutting-edge Australian innovation:
- Akula Tech’s Nexus-01 brings autonomous, on-board AI/ML processing capabilities – able to analyse satellite sensor data in real time, retrain models on orbit, and uplink new algorithms as needed. It’s designed to support time-sensitive applications such as fire detection, anomaly recognition and spectral analysis.
- Esper Satellite’s OTR-2 delivers high-resolution hyperspectral imaging across a range of industries including agriculture, mining, defence, and disaster management which will be accessible via their EarthTones API.
“This mission marks the start of our journey towards building next-generation satellites here in Australia,” said Preetham Akula, CEO of Akula Tech. “We’re bringing real-time geospatial intelligence to orbit – essentially putting an analyst directly in space.”
Nishq Ravindranath, Akula Tech’s chief AI officer, added, “This is a breakthrough moment. Our models will adapt and evolve over the satellite’s life, giving government and defence users dynamic, mission-ready insights.”
Esper Satellite is also celebrating a major milestone. “OTR-2 is our fourth satellite mission and we’ve done it all for under $1 million,” said co-founder and CEO Shoaib Iqbal. “It proves that advanced hyperspectral imaging can be affordable and scalable.”
Co-founder Przemyslaw Lorenczak emphasised the mission’s global significance. “The Dhruva partnership is a perfect showcase for Australian capability. We’re not just launching hardware – we’re redefining how industries monitor and respond to Earth’s changing environment.”
The LEAP-1 mission patch – newly unveiled – captures this spirit of multilateral collaboration. It blends elements from the Indian, Australian and American partners, symbolising AI, Earth observation and shared space heritage.
Dhruva Space CEO Sanjay Nekkanti said the company is ready to scale up. “With the P-30 platform now qualified and this mission marking our commercial debut, we’re seeing real momentum from customers in India, Europe and beyond. Working with Australian partners is a natural step – the Indo-Australian Space relationship is strategic and growing fast.”
He also acknowledged the role of government and industry leaders in enabling the mission. “We thank ISRO and IN-SPACe for their vision and Mr Enrico Palermo from the Australian Space Agency whose 2022 visit to our Hyderabad HQ helped spark these partnerships. And of course, SpaceX, for enabling our global access to orbit.”
LEAP-1 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dhruva Space – from capability building to commercial execution. It also cements a growing trilateral relationship between India, Australia and the United States in the emerging global space economy.
This mission is not just a launch, it’s a leap forward in AI-driven satellite technology, with applications that could reshape how governments, industries and communities interact with and protect our planet.