Partnership Overview
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence deemed university, and Dhruva Space Private Limited have entered into a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co‑develop the Advanced Space Capability, Engineering & New‑space Technologies (ASCENT) Centre on the MAHE Manipal campus. The centre is slated for inauguration in late 2026.
Infrastructure and Capabilities
ASCENT will be equipped with a Class 10,000 cleanroom, a Helmholtz cage, and an air‑bearing table designed for spacecraft dynamics and control validation. Dedicated facilities will support spacecraft development, integration, testing, qualification, and launch preparation, providing an end‑to‑end environment for student‑led satellite and hosted payload missions.
Mission Roadmap and Technical Objectives
The centre plans to launch at least three CubeSat missions ranging from 1U to 6U by 2028. Following these, it will develop a swarm constellation of femto‑satellites, establish a fully operational Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Centre, and produce indigenous bus designs, payloads, and modular satellite platforms by 2030. A longer‑term goal is to execute at least one interplanetary technology‑demonstration mission by 2035. Core research areas include advanced space systems engineering, autonomous and intelligent spacecraft technologies, space sustainability and awareness solutions, space‑based Internet of Things (IoT), and microgravity research.
Academic and Talent Development
The partnership emphasizes hands‑on learning: students will experience spacecraft design, integration, testing, launch preparation, and on‑orbit operations. Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, highlighted the centre’s role in nurturing mission‑ready expertise and contributing to India’s expanding space ecosystem. Prof. Chandrakala C.B., In‑Charge Director of the Manipal Institute of Technology, described ASCENT as a multidisciplinary hub empowering students, researchers, and industry partners. Dr Balbir Singh, Coordinator of MIT Space Programs, noted the centre’s focus on autonomous swarm technologies, ground‑segment innovations, and AI/ML‑driven intelligent space operations.
Industry Perspective
Krishna Teja Penamakuru, Chief Operations Officer & Co‑founder of Dhruva Space, stated that ASCENT will serve as a Centre of Excellence where research matures into mission‑ready solutions, benefiting both academia and industry. Dhruva Space, a full‑stack space‑engineering solutions provider based in Hyderabad, operates across space, launch, and ground segments for civilian and defence clients worldwide.
Institutional Background
MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across health sciences, management, law, humanities, social sciences, and technology & science, with campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. In 2020, the Ministry of Education granted MAHE Institution of Eminence status, and it ranked third in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings. Dhruva Space delivers integrated satellite, earth‑station, and launch services, positioning itself as a key player in India’s commercial space sector.
Expected Impact
By integrating academic research with industry‑grade infrastructure, ASCENT aims to bridge the gap between theoretical study and operational space missions, thereby strengthening India’s NewSpace ecosystem, accelerating indigenous technology development, and producing a pipeline of skilled talent for future space endeavors.