TakeMe2Space to launch India’s first orbital computing satellite

New Delhi: Indian space startup TakeMe2Space is set to launch its MOI-1A satellite into orbit on October 1 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission.The Hyderabad-based company describes MOI-1A as India’s first orbital computing satellite. Unlike conventional satellites that send large volumes of raw data back to Earth for processing, MOI-1A will analyse data in orbit and transmit only the results, Reuters reported on Monday. Weighing less than 50 kg, the satellite is equipped with Nvidia’s Orin NX chips, designed for edge computing. Customers will be able to upload their own AI models to the satellite, TakeMe2Space founder and CEO Ronak Samantray told Reuters.As the satellite passes over areas selected by customers, the onboard models will process the data and send the relevant results back to Earth.TakeMe2Space said 23 customers have already booked space on the mission. They include mapping companies and educational institutions, along with businesses operating in agriculture, mining, supply chains and insurance. US space-data company Little Place Labs is among the customers.With about 150 watts of available power, MOI-1A is positioned as a compact edge-computing platform rather than an orbital data centre. By comparison, companies such as Starcloud and SpaceX are planning to deploy more powerful Nvidia chips typically used in terrestrial data centres.MOI-1A is the replacement for MOI-1, which was lost on January 12 after the third stage of ISRO’s PSLV-C62 rocket failed. Following the setback, TakeMe2Space secured the earliest available launch opportunity aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, ThePrint reported in May.The company had previously launched its test satellite, MOI-TD, from Sriharikota on December 30, 2024. TakeMe2Space says the satellite conducted more than 20 in-orbit experiments, including running AI applications uploaded from Earth.TakeMe2Space designs and manufactures most of its satellite components in India, while sourcing propulsion systems, chips and solar cells from external suppliers.The startup’s longer-term plans include developing larger, networked satellites capable of serving multiple customers simultaneously. It also plans to offer in-orbit data storage to banks, financial institutions and defence customers as a backup option to cloud infrastructure on Earth.