Indian start-up commissions 'SCOT'—world's first commercial space surveillance satellite
What's the story
Bengaluru-based start-up, Digantara, has successfully commissioned the world's first commercial space surveillance satellite, SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking). The satellite was launched into orbit on January 14 aboard SpaceX's Transporter-12 rocket. SCOT has now started operations and taken its first image over South America. The company announced on X, "Space just ran out of hiding spots."
Inaugural shot
SCOT captures 1st image over South America
The SCOT satellite has achieved first light and taken its inaugural picture while passing over South America. The stunning view displayed Earth's limb with Buenos Aires glowing against the planet's curvature. Anirudh Sharma, CEO of Digantara, posted on X, "A Picture of Possibility, Future of Space based SSA." He added, "SCOT's first image is more than a technical milestone; it's a symbol of our team's resilience."
Advanced features
Capabilities and significance
The SCOT satellite tracks and monitors objects as small as five centimeters, with a high revisit rate for frequent and precise observations of orbital activity. This advanced capability is required for mitigating collision risks in the increasingly congested space environment and promoting sustainable space operations. The satellite offers accurate and dependable data to satellite operators and regulatory bodies. Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath congratulated Digantara for demonstrating India's own space-based SSA capability with SCOT-1.
Orbit
Operational orbit and efficiency
The SCOT satellite has been deployed in a sun-synchronous orbit, enabling it to track objects in low Earth orbit more efficiently than existing sensors. These traditional sensors are often limited by factors like fields of view, weather conditions, and geographic limitations. The launch of SCOT marks a significant milestone for the Indian space industry and its contribution toward enhancing space situational awareness.