Hyderabad, May 14(CXO Media): India’s push to build satellites at scale is getting a new boost. Hyderabad-based spacetech startup Dhruva Space has secured Rs 105 crore from the Centre’s Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) to develop ‘Project Garud’, a satellite platform aimed at large-scale manufacturing for future space missions.
The funding, formalised on May 13 in New Delhi, makes Dhruva Space one of the first companies to receive support under the government’s Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Scheme. The move comes as India looks to expand private-sector participation in satellite production and reduce dependence on imported space technologies.
Why Project Garud Matters
Unlike traditional satellites that are largely customised for individual missions, Project Garud aims to create a standardised 300–500 kg satellite platform that can be built repeatedly and deployed faster. The platform is designed for constellation missions used in telecommunications, earth observation, defence-linked operations and data services.
Dhruva Space plans to build production systems capable of manufacturing up to two satellites a day, signalling a shift toward industrial-scale satellite manufacturing in India.
The development highlights how private space startups are increasingly becoming part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic space and strategic technology capabilities.
