Assam Don Bosco University to launch Northeast’s first satellite

Matters India Reporter

Guwahati, January 9, 2026: Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) is poised to script history with the launch of LACHIT-1 (Live Amateur Communication Hub for Innovative Technologies – One), the first satellite developed from Assam and the Northeast, aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 on January 12, 2026.

The mission, developed under Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space’s Polar Access-1 (PA-1) programme, represents a watershed moment for space technology and academic innovation in the region. More than 50 students and faculty members from across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur have collaborated to bring the project to life, making it a truly Northeast-led initiative.

Named after the legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, the satellite embodies the region’s historical legacy while showcasing its growing technological capabilities. Built on Dhruva Space’s flight-qualified P-DoT satellite platform, LACHIT-1 was developed under the company’s ASTRA (Accelerated Space Technology Readiness & Access) for Academia programme. The ADBU team worked through the complete mission preparation cycle with Dhruva Space’s technical support—covering integration, functional testing, interface validation, and launch readiness reviews.

Vice-Chancellor of ADBU, Fr. (Dr) Jose Palely, described the mission as a landmark moment for the Northeast. “LACHIT-1 represents the region’s intent to contribute meaningfully to India’s space ecosystem and underlines the role academic institutions can play by combining rigorous learning with real-world application to nurture future-ready scientists and engineers,” he said.

Once deployed in orbit using Dhruva Space’s DSOD-1U separation system, the mission will be operated from ADBU using a VHF/UHF ground station and Dhruva Space’s Integrated Space Operations Command Suite (ISOCS). In the run-up to the launch, students and faculty rehearsed communication procedures, carried out subsystem checks, and established a full mission-control workflow to support satellite operations.

Designed to demonstrate a store-and-forward communication system using amateur radio frequencies, LACHIT-1 will allow short ground-transmitted messages to be stored onboard and relayed back to Earth during subsequent satellite passes. This innovation holds promise for emergency and disaster-response scenarios, particularly in regions where conventional communication networks are disrupted by floods, landslides, or outages.

Avinash Maramraju, Director (Sales and Business Development) at Dhruva Space, emphasized the broader significance of the mission. “Advanced space capabilities are no longer confined to a few locations. Programmes such as Polar Access-1 and ASTRA for Academia have enabled ADBU to take a satellite from campus to orbit, integrating the Northeast’s technical talent into the national space ecosystem,” he noted.

Once operational, LACHIT-1 will be accessible to the global amateur radio community, enabling licensed operators worldwide to participate in satellite communication experiments. Dhruva Space, in collaboration with the National Institute of Amateur Radio and ADBU, will also conduct training programmes on the use of amateur satellites for disaster communication and emergency response.

ADBU initiated its Space Programme in 2022 and has since expanded its activities in satellite engineering, mission operations, and ground-station management. Prof. Vikramjit Kakati, Director of ADBU’s Research and Development Cell and Mission Director of the LACHIT-1 project, described the launch as the culmination of years of preparation and vision.

With LACHIT-1, Assam Don Bosco University not only places the Northeast on India’s space map but also signals the region’s readiness to contribute to global scientific and technological frontiers.