Bengaluru-based start-up Digantara commissions world’s first commercial space surveillance satellite

Bengaluru-based spacetech start-up Digantara has announced the commissioning of the world’s first commercial space-based space surveillance satellite, SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking).

Launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission on January 14, 2025, SCOT signals a new era in global space situational awareness, redefining how we safeguard and manage Earth’s orbits.

SCOT is designed to track and monitor objects as small as five centimetre, with a high revisit rate for frequent, precise observations of orbital activity.

The satellite was successfully commissioned, achieving first light on March 8, 2025.

“The future of space situational awareness isn’t just something we envision — it’s something we’ve built. SCOT’s first image is more than a technical milestone; it’s a symbol of our team’s resilience and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Earth’s orbits for generations to come,” said Anirudh Sharma, CEO of Digantara.

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The company is looking to invest $10-15 million over the next six to eight months to build a dedicated spacecraft manufacturing and space optics production centre in Colorado.

The State of Colorado has pledged close to $1 million in operational incentives to accelerate Digantara’s expansion into the US.

The company has already secured contracts with multiple department of defence agencies, including the United States Air Force and Space Force, and is actively engaged in flagship programmes led by the Space Rapid Capability Office and Space Systems Command’s SDA TAP LAB.