The Technology Development Board (TDB) has sanctioned financial assistance to M/s Dhruva Space Private Limited, a Hyderabad-based startup, for its project titled ‘Space Grade Solar Array Fabrication and Test Facility’. The project aims to develop and commercialise space-grade solar array fabrication and testing processes for spacecraft applications.
The primary objective of the project is to use new materials and processes to enhance the performance and durability of solar panels.
Under the project, Dhruva Space will use carbon fibre and resins for substrate-side IP. The company also plans to adopt triple-junction GaAs technology to achieve an efficiency level of up to 30 per cent.
To test the efficacy of the solar arrays, Dhruva Space will conduct mechanical tests such as vibration, shock, and full-panel assessments. Electrical evaluations will be carried out using a Large Area Pulsed Sun Simulator.
The project will also provide testing in a thermo-vacuum chamber and acoustic testing. In addition, the company will conduct zero-gravity deployment simulations to assess the performance of the solar arrays in space environments.
Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, said: “We are excited to support M/s Dhruva Space in their endeavor to develop cutting-edge space-grade solar array technologies. This project perfectly aligns with TDB’s mission to promote indigenous innovation and strengthen India’s capabilities in domestic production, furthering India’s commitment to becoming a global hub for advanced and cost-effective space technologies.”
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Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO, Dhruva Space, said, “One of the crucial product offerings at Dhruva Space is the end-to-end design, engineering, assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft solar arrays for manned and unmanned space programs. One of our core capabilities has been to supply space power solutions to large satellites as well, and we are thankful to the Technology Development Board, Department of Science & Technology, for enabling us to scale these capabilities where we have seen traction not just in India but also overseas.”
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