Blab Tech
TakeMe2Space Launches Indias First Star Tracker, Backed by IN-SPACes Technology Adoption Fund
On 11 June 2026, Hyderabad‑based deep‑tech startup TakeMe2Space (TM2Space) announced that it is building StarSense, the country’s first star tracker designed and manufactured entirely in India. The announcement follows approval and funding from the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPACe). Star trackers are high‑precision optical sensors that let a satellite determine its orientation with single‑digit arcsecond accuracy—an essential capability for advanced imaging, communications and navigation missions.
For decades, India’s satellite industry has leaned on imports from the United States and Europe for attitude‑determination subsystems. Industry reports show that most satellite manufacturers still source star trackers abroad. With an expected launch of roughly 150 satellites over the next three years, commercial operators typically install dual‑tracker configurations for redundancy, creating an immediate domestic need for at least 300 units.
TM2Space has mapped out a 24‑month development schedule that will carry StarSense from laboratory testing to a fully qualified, space‑ready flight model. The company is offering two variants to address different market segments. StarSense Lite is streamlined for size, weight, power and cost, targeting the fast‑growing CubeSat market and academic research programmes. StarSense Pro is a high‑performance, ultra‑precise model intended for satellites heavier than 50 kg that demand stringent pointing knowledge.
By delivering a locally produced alternative, TM2Space aims to reduce Indian satellite builders’ reliance on foreign suppliers, mitigate supply‑chain vulnerabilities and accelerate mission timelines. The company also noted that domestic star trackers would open export opportunities, positioning India as a trusted hub for space technology in the global market.
StarSense is part of TM2Space’s broader ambition to construct a 1‑gigawatt orbital data centre (ODC). The firm plans a constellation of 20,000 high‑performance compute satellites that would provide continuous global coverage. Developing a domestic star tracker is therefore a critical step toward that goal.
The Technology Adoption Fund, launched by IN‑SPACe to support advanced space technologies, selected TM2Space alongside other startups such as Astrobase and SatSure. The fund’s objective is to promote self‑sufficiency and import substitution in niche space technologies, aligning with India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” policy. IN‑SPACe’s endorsement signals confidence in TM2Space’s technical capability and its potential to contribute to the country’s growing space sector.
At present, StarSense remains in the laboratory testing phase. The next milestone is the qualification of the flight model, expected within the 24‑month development window. The company has not yet announced a launch date for the first operational satellite equipped with StarSense. However, the project’s progress is being closely watched by satellite manufacturers, academia and defence entities that could benefit from a domestic star‑tracking solution.
In short, TakeMe2Space’s StarSense program marks the first Indian‑designed star tracker and represents a significant step toward closing a critical supply‑chain gap in the nation’s satellite industry. The initiative supports India’s ambition to build a large orbital data centre and could open export opportunities. The forthcoming flight‑qualification of StarSense and its integration into operational satellites will be key indicators of the program’s success.
For decades, India’s satellite industry has leaned on imports from the United States and Europe for attitude‑determination subsystems. Industry reports show that most satellite manufacturers still source star trackers abroad. With an expected launch of roughly 150 satellites over the next three years, commercial operators typically install dual‑tracker configurations for redundancy, creating an immediate domestic need for at least 300 units.
TM2Space has mapped out a 24‑month development schedule that will carry StarSense from laboratory testing to a fully qualified, space‑ready flight model. The company is offering two variants to address different market segments. StarSense Lite is streamlined for size, weight, power and cost, targeting the fast‑growing CubeSat market and academic research programmes. StarSense Pro is a high‑performance, ultra‑precise model intended for satellites heavier than 50 kg that demand stringent pointing knowledge.
By delivering a locally produced alternative, TM2Space aims to reduce Indian satellite builders’ reliance on foreign suppliers, mitigate supply‑chain vulnerabilities and accelerate mission timelines. The company also noted that domestic star trackers would open export opportunities, positioning India as a trusted hub for space technology in the global market.
StarSense is part of TM2Space’s broader ambition to construct a 1‑gigawatt orbital data centre (ODC). The firm plans a constellation of 20,000 high‑performance compute satellites that would provide continuous global coverage. Developing a domestic star tracker is therefore a critical step toward that goal.
The Technology Adoption Fund, launched by IN‑SPACe to support advanced space technologies, selected TM2Space alongside other startups such as Astrobase and SatSure. The fund’s objective is to promote self‑sufficiency and import substitution in niche space technologies, aligning with India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” policy. IN‑SPACe’s endorsement signals confidence in TM2Space’s technical capability and its potential to contribute to the country’s growing space sector.
At present, StarSense remains in the laboratory testing phase. The next milestone is the qualification of the flight model, expected within the 24‑month development window. The company has not yet announced a launch date for the first operational satellite equipped with StarSense. However, the project’s progress is being closely watched by satellite manufacturers, academia and defence entities that could benefit from a domestic star‑tracking solution.
In short, TakeMe2Space’s StarSense program marks the first Indian‑designed star tracker and represents a significant step toward closing a critical supply‑chain gap in the nation’s satellite industry. The initiative supports India’s ambition to build a large orbital data centre and could open export opportunities. The forthcoming flight‑qualification of StarSense and its integration into operational satellites will be key indicators of the program’s success.
