In a significant milestone for India’s private space sector, a Technopark-based company has successfully launched and established contact with ‘Nila,’ the country’s first private payload hosting satellite. The satellite was launched on March 15, 2025, aboard an international rideshare mission, marking a major step forward in private satellite technology.

Developed within just four months, the satellite achieved successful separation from the launch vehicle less than an hour after liftoff. A crucial milestone was reached when the beacon signal was received at the mission control center the following day.

Named after a culturally significant river in Kerala, ‘Nila’ serves as a platform for hosting multiple payloads. This mission included components from an international space technology company, highlighting the growing global collaborations in the sector. The satellite’s operations are being managed from a newly established ground station in Kerala, ensuring its functionality and mission objectives are met.

The company behind the mission has ambitious plans to expand its satellite development capabilities, positioning itself as a key player in India’s evolving space ecosystem. With upcoming missions already in the pipeline, this achievement is expected to boost private sector participation in space exploration and technology development.