Assam Don Bosco University Launches Northeast's First Satellite LACHIT-1

Historic Launch of LACHIT-1

Guwahati, Jan 12: Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) is poised to make history by launching LACHIT-1, the first satellite from the Northeast, aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 on January 12. This mission signifies the region's official entry into the realm of space technology and is part of the Polar Access-1 (PA-1) initiative by Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space.

Named in honor of the esteemed Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, LACHIT-1 represents the pride and resilience of the region. Once it is deployed and operational in orbit, the satellite will be available for the global amateur radio community, allowing licensed operators around the world to participate in satellite communication and experimentation. In partnership with the National Institute of Amateur Radio and ADBU, Dhruva Space plans to conduct workshops and training sessions aimed at utilizing amateur satellites for disaster communication and emergency response.

The mission has united over 50 students and faculty from various states in the Northeast, including Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. According to Mission Director Prof Vikramjit Kakati, who also leads ADBU’s Research and Development Cell, the university initiated its space program in 2022 and has progressively advanced in satellite engineering, mission operations, and ground station management.

LACHIT-1 has been developed under Dhruva Space’s ASTRA (Accelerated Space Technology Readiness & Access) for Academia program, utilizing the flight-qualified P-DoT satellite platform and will be deployed with the DSOD-1U separation system. The student-faculty team from ADBU was involved in every phase of the mission, including integration, testing, and launch readiness assessments.

Vice-Chancellor Fr Jose Palely emphasized that this mission serves as a significant declaration from the Northeast, particularly relevant during natural disasters like floods and landslides, where satellite-based messaging can provide a crucial communication alternative.

ADBU will manage LACHIT-1 through a VHF/UHF ground station and Dhruva Space’s Integrated Space Operations Command Suite (ISOCS). As a store-and-forward amateur radio satellite, LACHIT-1 will offer students practical experience in operating an orbital communication system, further establishing the Northeast's expanding role in India's space sector.

By

Staff Reporter