TakeMe2Space, an Indian space company based in Hyderabad, is preparing to deploy its MOI-1A satellite into orbit on 1 October via SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare flight. The company describes the mission as bringing India's first orbital computing satellite to space, distinguished by its ability to process data while in orbit and transmit analysed results rather than transmitting unprocessed raw data back to Earth.
The satellite weighs under 50kg and is equipped with Nvidia's Orin NX chips, processors built specifically for edge computing applications. Founder and chief executive Ronak Samantray explained that customers will be able to upload their own artificial intelligence models onto the satellite. As the satellite passes over designated regions, these models will analyse incoming data and transmit only the processed findings downward.
The mission has already attracted 23 paying customers, spanning sectors including cartography companies, educational institutions, agricultural operations, mining enterprises, supply chain businesses and insurance firms. Little Place Labs, a United States-based space data company, is among the confirmed customers.
Operating with approximately 150 watts of power, MOI-1A functions as a compact edge computing device rather than a full-scale data centre. This contrasts with competing initiatives: Starcloud and SpaceX are both planning missions to deploy the more capable Nvidia chips typically found in ground-based data centres.
The current mission represents a replacement for MOI-1, which was destroyed on 12 January when the third stage of India's PSLV-C62 rocket malfunctioned. Following this setback, the company secured the earliest available launch slot on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
An earlier prototype, designated MOI-TD, successfully reached orbit from Sriharikota on 30 December 2024. During its time in space, the test satellite completed more than 20 orbital experiments, including running artificial intelligence applications using software transmitted from the ground.
TakeMe2Space manufactures and assembles the majority of its satellite components within India. The company sources propulsion systems, processors and solar panels from external suppliers.
Looking ahead, the startup intends to develop larger satellites that operate as interconnected networks capable of serving multiple customers simultaneously. The company also plans to offer orbital data storage services to banks, financial institutions and defence organisations seeking alternatives to terrestrial cloud storage providers.
Source: The Next Web
