In a significant move that underscores the enduring Indo-Swedish bilateral cooperation, Indian space giant Dhruva Space, and the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) have announced an expansion of their partnership. This collaboration aims to enhance the satellite ground station networks, facilitating the growth of new space industry initiatives in both Sweden and India.

Dhruva Space will utilise the SSC network of Ground Stations for its upcoming hosted payload satellite mission, LEAP-1, scheduled for launch later in 2024. This collaboration not only marks a milestone in the partnership between Dhruva Space and SSC but also signifies a leap towards achieving easier access to space through Dhruva Space’s comprehensive space engineering solutions.

The partnership leverages Dhruva Space’s expertise in satellite manufacturing, launch services, and mission operations, alongside SSC’s extensive experience in ground station operations and satellite communication services. Ground stations are crucial for the success, safety, and operational integrity of satellite missions, especially during the Launch Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), as they facilitate communication, data transfer, tracking, and control.

Looking ahead, this agreement paves the way for future collaborations, including joint ground station operations, resource sharing, and joint research projects that capitalise on the strengths of both nations. This ongoing collaboration between SSC and Dhruva Space is a testament to the strong partnership between India and Sweden, dating back to 1986, and highlights the synergies across government and industry levels.

Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO & Co-founder of Dhruva Space, expressed his enthusiasm for the strengthened partnership, stating, “We are honoured that our long-term partnership with Swedish Space Corporation continues and is further strengthened to the next level.” Nekkanti emphasised the significance of ground station networks in maximising the potential of low earth orbiting satellites and the future of LEO missions.

Fredrik Gisle, Head of APAC Market Region at SSC, also shared his excitement about the collaboration, noting, “We are delighted to expand our relations with Dhruva Space and to support their upcoming LEAP-1 mission with our ground station network.” Gisle highlighted the long history of collaboration between Sweden and India and expressed SSC’s intention to deepen the relationship and explore the NewSpace sector together with Dhruva Space.

The agreement was signed at the first-ever India-Sweden Space and Geospatial Business Summit in Stockholm, Sweden, coordinated by the Geospatial World Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) and the Sweden-India Business Council (SIBC). This landmark agreement marks a significant step in fostering international collaboration and advancing ground station activities worldwide, further solidifying the Indo-Swedish partnership in the space sector.