Founded in 2020 by Anirudh Sharma, Rahul Rawat, and Tanveer Ahmed, Digantara is a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup that has rapidly emerged as a global leader in Space Situational Awareness (SSA). With its cutting-edge technology and ambitious vision, the company aims to address critical challenges in space traffic management and sustainability.
Revolutionizing Space Operations with Space-MAP
Digantara’s flagship innovation is the Space Mission Assurance Platform (Space-MAP), an infrastructure designed to track and manage objects in Earth’s orbit. This proprietary platform leverages multi-modal datasets to provide precise orbital insights, enabling stakeholders—governments, satellite operators, and defense agencies—to make informed decisions in an increasingly congested space environment. Currently, only 4% of the one million objects in orbit are tracked; Digantara aims to bridge this gap by providing comprehensive data on Resident Space Objects (RSOs) and space weather.
The company has also developed STARS (Space Threat Assessment & Response Suite), a defense-focused product already in beta use across agencies in Singapore, the UK, Australia, and India.
Strategic Milestones and Funding Success
Digantara has successfully raised $12.5 million across multiple funding rounds from prominent investors such as Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Kalaari Capital, Global Brain Ventures, and Aditya Birla Ventures.
One of its landmark achievements is commissioning India’s first private SSA optical observatory in Uttarakhand. This observatory enhances India’s ability to monitor space activity and reduce collision risks between satellites and other spacecraft.
Additionally, Digantara has launched two missions serving as space weather testbeds and is on track to launch eight more missions as part of its Phase-1 expansion.
Global Expansion and Collaborations
Digantara and Pixxel have launched their satellites aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Digantara launched its Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT) satellite. This satellite is designed for space surveillance and is capable of tracking objects as small as 5 cm in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). Pixxel has launched the first three satellites of its Firefly constellation. These satellites are equipped with hyperspectral imaging technology, offering a resolution of five metres and covering over 150 spectral bands.
Digantara’s ambitions extend beyond India. The company has established a subsidiary in Singapore and is exploring market opportunities in the US, UK, and European Union. Its strategic focus on government and defense agencies has been complemented by growing interest from commercial users such as satellite operators and emerging space tourism companies.
Visionary Leadership Driving Innovation
Co-founder Anirudh Sharma started the company at just 19 years old as a spin-off from his university satellite team. Rahul Rawat brings operational acumen, while Tanveer Ahmed spearheads technical development. Their collective vision has transformed Digantara from a resource-constrained startup into a trailblazer in SSA technology.
Future Plans : Transforming Space Governance
As global interest in space exploration intensifies, Digantara is uniquely positioned to address pressing challenges like orbital debris management and collision avoidance. With plans to launch additional satellites, expand its SSA services overseas, and enhance its proprietary technologies, Digantara is steadfast in its mission to catalyze a sustainable space economy.
ALSO READ : Pranos: Pioneering Nuclear Fusion in India
