• Dhruva Space will launch Sodern’s HORUS star tracker on its P-30 nanosatellite as part of a 2026 mission.
  • Dhruva has also selected Sodern’s Auriga star tracker for upcoming satellite deployments.

Hyderabad-based spacetech startup Dhruva Space has entered into a strategic partnership with French aerospace leader Sodern ArianeGroup.

The alliance marks a significant milestone in Indo-French space collaboration, with Sodern’s next-generation HORUS star tracker set to be deployed on a Dhruva Space-hosted payload mission in 2026.

The mission will take place under Dhruva Space’s flagship Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads (LEAP) initiative, which aims to enhance orbital access for global customers.

The HORUS payload will be integrated into Dhruva’s indigenously developed P-30 nanosatellite platform, which features a modular bus architecture and was space-qualified through the LEAP-TD mission aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C58 POEM-3 launch in 2024.

Sodern’s HORUS star tracker includes an advanced Active Pixel Sensor (APS) Space Detector specifically tailored for telecom platforms, offering autonomous and high-precision attitude sensing capabilities.

Simultaneously, Dhruva Space has selected Sodern’s radiation-hardened Auriga star tracker as the preferred attitude determination solution for its future satellite missions.

“This contract signing fits perfectly within the strategic relationship between India and France and proves the importance of space collaboration between our countries,” said Vincent Dedieu, Chairman & CEO of Sodern ArianeGroup.
“Dhruva Space was selected as the ideal partner to launch our high-end HORUS star tracker on its inaugural IOD smallsat mission, and we are eager to see HORUS in action.”

The announcement was made during the HCIM Business Delegation to France and Italy, led by Minister Piyush Goyal.

Representing Dhruva Space and FICCI’s Space & Geospatial Data Committee as Co-Chair, CEO Sanjay Nekkanti highlighted the growing Indo-French partnership in Space-Tech.

Dhruva Space continues to offer integrated solutions comprising satellites, earth stations, and launch services to support space-based applications globally.

Edited by Annette George