SpaceX Successfully Launches HEX20's 'Nila' Satellite into Space.
Science and Technology
In March 2025, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)-based HEX20 India, a small satellite manufacturing startup, achieved a significant milestone by launching its maiden satellite, Nila, aboard SpaceX's Transporter-13 mission. This service, offered by SpaceX—founded by Elon Musk—provides dedicated rideshare opportunities for small satellites.
- The Nila mission is designed to test and validate HEX20's indigenously developed subsystems.
- The satellite is named after Kerala's Nila River, highlighting its cultural significance.
- The Nila mission, developed by HEX20 India, was supported by IN-SPACe (Ahmedabad) and ISRO (Bengaluru), which assisted with testing and approved a tracking station at Marian Engineering College, Kerala. This collaboration strengthens India's small satellite ecosystem.
Main Point :- (i) Developed in just four months, Nila was launched with support from Berlin-based Exolaunch GmbH. The satellite, weighing under 5 kg, includes an in-orbit demonstration payload from German company Dcubed GmbH, showcasing global collaboration in satellite technology.
(ii) To support mission operations, HEX20 India established a ground station at Marian College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram. This facility trains students and faculty in satellite operations while receiving data from Nila and future missions, promoting hands-on learning and research.
(iii) HEX20 has signed MoUs with several academic institutions in Kerala, including Government Engineering College Barton Hill and Mar Baselios College of Engineering. The company is also preparing to launch a 50 kg satellite aboard ISRO’s PSLV by 2026, marking a significant step in India's space advancements.
About HEX20 India
CEO : Lloyd Jacob Lopez
Headquarters : Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
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