In a landmark achievement for India’s space sector, Technopark-based HEX20 has successfully launched ‘Nila,’ the country’s first private payload hosting satellite. Named after Kerala’s culturally significant river Nila, the satellite was developed in just four months and launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission on March 15. The satellite separated from the launch vehicle less than an hour later, and its beacon signal was received at HEX20’s control center on March 16.
The mission, facilitated by Berlin-based Exolaunch, carried payloads from German space company Dcubed, showcasing HEX20’s commitment to global collaboration. The satellite’s commissioning will be conducted from a ground station at Marian Engineering College, Menamkulam, where HEX20 is training faculty and students to operate the facility.
MB Aravind, the Co-Founder of HEX20, emphasized the mission’s significance, stating it marks the beginning of the ambitious endeavors in space exploration. The company plans to launch a 50 kg satellite on ISRO’s launch vehicle next year and expand its R&D facilities at Technopark to support multiple satellite developments.
HEX20, with a global presence in Australia, the UAE, and Taiwan, aims to enhance the space technology capabilities to worldwide through its innovative satellite platforms and mission services. This achievement underscores the Kerala’s growing role in India’s space ecosystem.
