Digantara’s SCOT Mission Success

January 20, 2025

On January 14, 2025, Indian space startup Digantara achieved milestone with the successful launch of its Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT) mission. This marks an important step in enhancing space situational awareness and tracking capabilities in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The mission was launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rocket, showcasing India’s growing presence in the global space industry.

Mission Overview

SCOT is designed for space surveillance and is one of the world’s first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites.
The satellite aims to track Resident Space Objects (RSOs) effectively.

Launch Details

The SCOT satellite was launched on SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission successfully established contact with its ground station shortly after launch.

Operational Capabilities

SCOT is built to monitor smaller RSOs, ensuring surveillance of objects as small as 5 cm. It is equipped to deliver higher revisit rates and improved tracking accuracy compared to existing systems.

Funding and Support

The mission is backed by Aditya Birla Ventures and SIDBI. It aims to boost national security and enhance space operations through improved tracking capabilities.

Technological Advancements

SCOT will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit, optimising its ability to track objects in LEO. This positioning allows it to overcome limitations faced by traditional systems, such as geographic restrictions and weather conditions.

Reactions and Recognition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Digantara on the success of SCOT, emphasising its contribution to India’s space industry. The mission was also praised by other political figures, denoting its significance on National Startup Day.

Related Launches

Alongside SCOT, two other Indian startups launched satellites on the same SpaceX mission. Bengaluru-based Pixxel deployed three satellites of its Firefly constellation, marking development in India’s private space sector.

Future Plans

Digantara plans to focus on commissioning the SCOT satellite, preparing it for its core mission of precise object tracking and imaging in LEO. The team is set to fine-tune the satellite for optimal performance in the coming weeks.

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