In a ground-breaking stride towards advancing space technology, three young space science researchers and founders of Smartcircuits Innovation, an ISRO-certified Space Tutor and member of International Astronautical Federation from Yamunanagar, Haryana, have developed a path -breaking experiment which is slated to be launched in a satellite being put into orbit by the prestigious Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) during the PSLV Orbital Experiment Platform (POEM) C60 mission, on 30th December 2024. The revolutionary experiment will be put on-board ISRO’s PSLV-C60 rocket. It is pertinent to mention that Smartcircuits Innovation has successfully established AI and Space Labs in many tricity schools too.
The core experiment has been designed by visionary researchers Sourabh Kaushal, Raghav Sharma, and Sachin Sharma. The three addressed a press meet at Chandigarh Press Club to share greater details of the space mission.
Sourabh Kaushal Director of Innovation at Smartcircuits Innovation said, “The experiment focuses on measuring the temperature profile of a rolling satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using an external sensor placed at the satellite’s outermost surface. Temperature readings will also be taken using a Lux/Ambient sensor.”
It is to be noted that the experiment will be part of My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator (MOI-TD), India’s first AI Space Lab. MOI-TD will be a payload on the satellite. The MOI-TD project is being spearheaded by Takeme2Space.
Raghav Sharma, Director of Technology, Smartcircuits Innovation, said, “This innovative mission will showcase the capabilities of real-time data processing in orbit, eliminating the need for extensive data transmission back to Earth and paving the way for cost-effective space research. The data of this experiment will be helpful for the space agencies for the upcoming space missions, as temperature will be the crucial part for any space mission.”
The experiment is an important achievement as it marks the first time a Haryana-based start-up is sending such an experiment into orbit, a milestone for the region and the country.
Raghav added, “School students actively participated in coding for the experiment, highlighting the project’s emphasis on inclusivity and education. This satellite lab will democratize space science and technology, enabling students and researchers to conduct affordable experiments in space.”
Smartcircuits Innovation also unveiled its Small Satellite Program, which empowers students to build and launch satellites, bringing real-time space data within their reach.
Sachin Sharma, Director of Business, Smartcircuits Innovation said, “Our Program, also known as the Near-Space Satellite Launch Project, provides schools, universities, and researchers with the opportunity to develop low-cost satellites and launch them to an altitude of approximately 50 km, reaching the stratosphere. Participants can receive live data on Earth and later send their experiments into orbit using POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module).”
Ronak Kumar Samantray, CEO, Takeme2Space, described the MOI-TD platform as a critical step in addressing challenges in satellite operations. Notably MOI-TD will also do the characterization of subsystems, such as Air Torquer, Magnetorquer, Reaction Wheel, Sun Sensor, Spectral Sensor, Camera, Onboard Computer (OBC), and Flexible Solar Cells and will execute Machine Learning (ML) models in orbit for advanced data analysis and image processing.
The mission has garnered international acclaim, with Mr George Salazar of NASA; Mr Mitul Dikshit, President of the International Space Society and Dr. Isabel Pedraza, Scientist CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) lauding the researchers for this landmark achievement.
