Digantara launches satellite to track space debris effectively

Three young entrepreneurs from India have launched a new space-tech company called Digantara. They recently sent their first satellite, the Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT), into orbit. This satellite will track space debris as small as 5 cm, creating live maps similar to Google Maps for low-Earth orbit. The founders are Anirudh Sharma, Tanveer Ahmed, and Rahul Rawat, all just 26 years old. They grew up fascinated by the skies. Their satellite was launched by SpaceX in January and sent back its first images earlier this month. Sharma, the CEO, expressed relief and excitement when they confirmed the satellite was operational after a anxious wait. Digantara's goal is to improve space safety by providing accurate tracking of space objects. Current tracking systems rely heavily on ground-based equipment. The founders aim to use their skills in computer science and aerospace to fill this gap. Space debris is a growing problem, with thousands of tracked objects and many more pieces that could pose threats to satellites and other space operations. The idea for Digantara arose from a past experience. In 2018, a piece of debris crashed into a satellite they had been involved with, highlighting the need for greater awareness in space. They registered their company while they were still in college, and their startup gained support from the Indian Institute of Science after a couple of years. Since then, Digantara has grown significantly, now employing around 100 people and expanding operations to the US. They plan to launch 15 more satellites in the next two years to enhance data collection. The founders have raised $14.5 million in funding over five years and are focused on learning from their failures to improve their technology. Despite their journey not matching their initial dreams, the trio feels proud of their achievements. They have successfully established Digantara as a pioneer in space surveillance technology at a critical time for space innovation.