Ahmedabad startup’s TAPAS-1 thermal infrared camera set for SpaceX launch

Gandhinagar: Gujarat is set to make a mark in India’s growing spacetech sector with the launch of an indigenous Thermal Infrared Earth Observation Payload (Thermal Infrared Camera) developed by an Ahmedabad-based startup. Named TAPAS-1, the thermal infrared camera is scheduled to be launched from the United States on October 1 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

The 3-kg payload will be deployed on a satellite into an orbit approximately 500 km above Earth. From there, it will capture high-resolution thermal images showing heat and temperature variations across different parts of the planet. The data is expected to have applications in urban heat management, agriculture, water-stress monitoring, industrial monitoring, disaster management and forest-fire detection.

TAPAS-1 has been developed by Satleo, an Ahmedabad-based spacetech startup founded in 2023 by Shravan Singh Bhati, Dr Ranendu Ghosh and Urmil Bakhai.

How will TAPAS-1 work?

TAPAS-1 is designed to detect thermal infrared radiation emitted from the Earth’s surface. In simple terms, the payload will capture variations in surface temperatures and convert them into thermal images that can be analysed using artificial intelligence.

“This data can be used to monitor forest fires. Besides, temperature variations across different areas of a city can be tracked in real time. Different areas of a city have different temperatures. This can help municipal corporations undertake the necessary planning to address heat stress,” Shravan Singh said.

Urmil Bakhai described the technology as a “thermometer for the Earth” and said it could generate valuable data for agriculture and urban planning.

“This technology will function as a thermometer for the Earth. It can provide highly important data for the agricultural sector. Through this, planning required for crops can be undertaken in a more modern and accurate manner. It can also be useful in urban planning,” Bakhai said.

According to the company, the data can be obtained directly from the satellite without requiring large-scale additional infrastructure on the ground.

TAPAS-1 planned to remain in orbit for three years

According to the founders, Satleo has a team of more than 40 professionals and plans to launch eight more satellites of this type by 2029. The company has so far secured funding of around ₹60 crore.

Following the commercial launch of TAPAS-1, the company plans to share the satellite-generated data with various businesses and organisations. The payload has been developed entirely at the company’s laboratory in Gujarat and is expected to remain in orbit for three years.

The company said artificial intelligence will be used to analyse thermal imagery and generate more detailed information for various applications.

Satleo has previously worked on a pilot project with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, under which temperature mapping was carried out across different parts of Ahmedabad.

Company has Letters of Intent worth $52 million

According to Shravan Singh, Satleo has received Letters of Intent (LoIs) worth approximately $52 million, with around 60% of the commitments coming from companies based outside India.

The company is also working with organisations in the agriculture sector and other industries that could use thermal satellite data for monitoring and planning.

Gujarat’s spacetech policy

The development comes as Gujarat seeks to establish itself as a manufacturing and innovation hub for space technology. The state has announced the Gujarat Spacetech Policy 2025-30, aimed at promoting the spacetech ecosystem and attracting startups and private investment.

The policy provides various incentives to companies operating in the sector, including assistance towards launch costs, support for intellectual property rights and subsidies for testing facilities. DeshGujarat