Hyderabad Space Firms Ramp Up Satellite Production as Dhruva Targets 22 Launches

India's private space industry is gearing up for a rapid expansion in satellite manufacturing in Hyderabad, driven by increased capital flows and recent technical milestones across the sector.

Industry founders and trade bodies noted that the speed of this expansion will rely heavily on resolving critical bottlenecks, including securing easier launch access, improving domestic availability of sensors and chips, shortening procurement timelines, and establishing more suitable financing models.

The manufacturing push gained traction following achievements by private space enterprises, including Skyroot Aerospace's success with its maiden Vikram-1 mission. The milestone has bolstered investor confidence and directed more funding toward domestic space hardware and deep-tech ventures.

Hyderabad-based space tech firm Dhruva Space is among the companies scaling operations across nano, micro, and cubesat missions. Dhruva Space founder and chief executive Sanjay Nekkanti stated that the sector's ecosystem is expanding as investments increase.

Dhruva Space is currently constructing 22 satellites to be delivered over the next 24 months. The company plans to reach a production rate of one satellite per month starting next year, with cubesats potentially delivered at an even faster pace.

Nano and micro satellites built by Dhruva Space are scheduled to begin flights at the end of this year aboard a private international launch vehicle. The initial mission will carry multiple payloads for customers.

Meanwhile, the central government's Satellite Based Surveillance-3 programme is serving as a major early test for private-sector manufacturing capacity. Under the programme, three private consortiums are building a total of 31 satellites, completing prerequisite project milestones before progressing into full-scale manufacturing and subsequent launches.