In an exclusive interaction with CXO News and APAC News Network, Tanveer Ahmed, Co founder and CTO of Digantara elaborates on the dynamics of the SCOT satellite and their commercial role in future space tech management.
What inspired the development of SCOT, and how does it align with Digantara’s vision for space sustainability?
During our undergraduate studies, one of the satellites to which we supplied components went dormant. The cause was identified as space debris that incapacitated the satellite.
As we delved deeper into the issue, we uncovered significant gaps in tracking orbital objects and the growing challenges of space traffic. Today, with only 4% of orbital objects being tracked and the number of satellites increasing exponentially, existing infrastructure—both data and operational—has proven to be inadequate and inaccurate.
Three friends—Anirudh, Rahul, and I (now CEO, COO, and CTO at Digantara)—we were leading student satellite teams at our university, came together to found Digantara. Leveraging each other’s strengths, and experience, we focused towards building a tailored solution to address the problem. Our mission was clear: to prioritize space sustainability and build a comprehensive infrastructure to ease space operations and space traffic management: Right from detection and tracking of objects in orbit to leveraging these datasets to help satellite operators easily navigate in orbit. Revolutionizing how space data is collected, verified, and used.
As space becomes increasingly congested and contested, data-driven solutions are necessary as space becomes increasingly congested and contested, data-driven solutions are essential to safeguard satellite operations. Unlike air traffic control systems that manage aircraft traffic, no similar infrastructure currently exists to support the space ecosystem. Digantara is building that foundational infrastructure layer to enable safer space operations.
While ensuring operational safety, this infrastructure will also drive the next wave of space industries, including orbit transfers, RPO missions, point-to-point travel, and more. At Digantara, the team is creating the backbone of a transformative navigation platform, designed to ensure safer and more efficient space operations, redefining how space assets are managed, optimized, and utilized.
The development of SCOT came through as a way to fill gaps in the current SSA data infrastructure and bring in complimentary capability that overcame the challenges associated with traditional tracking methods (ground-based systems (Radar/Telescopes)). These systems are often limited by geography, atmospheric and weather conditions and field of view. SCOT, being a space-based space surveillance system, overcomes these challenges and brings in both qualitative and quantitative advantages over traditional systems.
How does SCOT’s technology achieve superior precision in tracking objects compared to traditional SSA systems?
Digantara’s satellite, SCOT, is equipped with two advanced electro-optical systems: a Wide-Field-of-View system and a Narrow-Field-of-View system. These systems rely on basic principles of reflection and the dynamics of flight in space. The satellite scans objects in orbit, capturing images of passing satellites. These images are then processed to convert streaks of light into orbital elements, allowing Digantara to accurately track and map space objects. SCOT can track objects up to 5 cm in size. The upcoming generations of the satellite will be able to track much smaller objects. This technology enables real-time monitoring of both satellites and space debris, contributing to a more detailed understanding of the space environment.
What role do you see commercial SSA satellites like SCOT playing in the future of space traffic management?
Commercial SSA satellites, such as SCOT, will play a crucial role in managing space traffic in the years ahead. One of the primary challenges in the current infrastructure is the outdated data on resident space objects (RSOs), which can be as old as 72 hours. In some cases, RSOs have gone untracked for even longer periods. With our satellite constellation, we aim to significantly enhance the tracking of RSOs, achieving a much higher revisit rate—potentially as frequent as every two hours. This capability enables satellite operators to manage their satellites more effectively and with greater ease.
As the number of satellites continues to grow, the space industry is expanding without the necessary infrastructure to support it. Unlike air traffic control systems that manage aircraft traffic, no similar infrastructure currently exists to support the space ecosystem. Digantara is building that foundational infrastructure layer to enable safer space operations.
As a first step towards sustainable space operations – the company has launched its flagship safety of flight services to support satellite operators with easing space operations.
How is Digantara collaborating with global agencies to tackle orbital congestion and space debris?
Today Digantara is collaborating with global agencies right from data sharing to building custom satellite and payload solutions to strategic services to cater to the needs of the agencies/governments.
What are Digantara’s next steps in building a hybrid surveillance network for space safety?
In just under 4 years, Digantara has made significant strides in satellite missions and ground-based surveillance systems. Notably, with over 7 patents today in the US and India, it has launched 3 successful space missions onboard SpaceX and ISRO. With the recent one being Mission SCOT launched on the SpaceX Transporter 12. It is one of the world’s first commercial Space surveillance satellites engineered to track and monitor Resident Space Objects (RSOs) as small as 5 cm in size, deliver higher revisit rates, and provide enhanced tracking accuracy – filling a crucial gap left by current systems.
The company is currently working towards rapidly scaling its ground and space-based sensor network.
Bhavya Bagga, APAC News Network
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