Thinking satellite and a brain in space are no longer science fiction for India. Hyderabad’s TakeMe2Space is launching India’s first AI-powered satellite, a project that puts a “brain” in orbit to analyze data in real time, making space research more accessible and affordable for students, researchers, and businesses. This breakthrough is set to disrupt the satellite-as-a-service model, democratize access to space, and position India as a global leader in AI-driven space technology. With focus keywords like thinking satellite, a brain in space, and AI-powered satellite lab, this article on Startup INIDAX explores how this innovation is shaping the future of India’s space tech ecosystem
Introduction: India’s Leap into AI-Driven Satellites
India’s space sector is buzzing with innovation, and at the heart of this new wave is a thinking satellite—a project that brings a brain in space for the first time in the country. Powered by artificial intelligence, this satellite doesn’t just collect data; it processes and interprets it in real time, opening up a world of possibilities for environmental monitoring, agriculture, education, and more.
Traditionally, satellites have been limited to acting as the eyes and ears of Earth, sending back raw data for humans to analyze. Now, with TakeMe2Space’s AI-inference model, satellites can think, reason, and deliver actionable insights directly from orbit. This leap is not just technological—it’s cultural, making space more accessible than ever before.
Meet TakeMe2Space: The Startup Behind the Revolution
TakeMe2Space, founded by software engineer Ronak Samantray, is the Hyderabad-based startup making headlines with India’s first thinking satellite. Despite being a young company, it’s already challenging established norms in the space tech industry. Samantray’s vision is simple yet audacious: “What if we put a brain in space?”
The startup’s journey began in 2022, born out of Samantray’s frustration with the lack of accessible satellite platforms for coding experiments. Without prior hardware experience or ISRO connections, he built a team of passionate engineers and entrepreneurs, determined to make space research open to everyone.
Operating from IIIT Hyderabad’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, TakeMe2Space is now preparing for its landmark launch on ISRO’s SSLV, with a team of 21 young professionals and a growing list of clients waiting to use their satellite-as-a-service platform
What Is a Thinking Satellite?
A thinking satellite is more than just a data collector in orbit—it’s an intelligent platform equipped with AI-driven processors capable of analyzing and interpreting data on the fly. Unlike traditional satellites that send raw images or signals back to Earth for processing, a thinking satellite can:
- Run AI models in space
- Filter and compress data before transmission
- Deliver actionable insights in real time
- Enable remote experiments and control by users on Earth
This approach drastically reduces the volume of data that needs to be sent back to Earth, saving bandwidth, lowering costs, and speeding up decision-making for users
How ‘A Brain in Space’ Changes Everything
The concept of a brain in space transforms the very role satellites play in our lives. Here’s how:
- Real-Time Analysis: Instead of waiting hours or days for raw data to be processed on the ground, users get immediate results from space.
- Cost Efficiency: By sending only relevant, processed information, transmission costs drop dramatically. TakeMe2Space plans to charge by time used—just $2 per minute—rather than area, making it affordable for startups, researchers, and even schools.
- Accessibility: Anyone—from a student in Kerala to a business in Mumbai—can log in, upload code, and run experiments on the satellite, democratizing access to space research.
- Security: With remote operation comes the need for robust security. TakeMe2Space has built systems to preemptively block harmful actions, ensuring safe and reliable use for all clients
Making Space Accessible: The Democratization Mission
One of the most revolutionary aspects of the thinking satellite is its commitment to democratizing space. In India, space access has traditionally been the domain of government agencies and elite research institutions. TakeMe2Space is breaking down these barriers by:
- Allowing students and educators to remotely operate the satellite lab, just like a computer or robotics lab in school.
- Providing a platform (OrbitLab) where users can upload code in Python or C++, run experiments, and access results without needing to be at NASA, ISRO, or an IIT.
- Encouraging STEM education and inspiring the next generation of space scientists and engineers.
The startup already has a waitlist of 40 clients, including schools, universities, and private businesses, eager to leverage this new model for research and innovation
Key Innovations and Technology
TakeMe2Space’s thinking satellite stands out for its technical ingenuity:
- AI-Inference Model: The satellite is equipped with a processor that runs AI algorithms in orbit, analyzing data as it is collected.
- Dual-Mode Solar Panels: Engineers have developed a system where solar panels can rotate independently, allowing the satellite to charge and capture images simultaneously—something most small satellites cannot do.
- Radiation Shielding: The team uses a Tantalum-based coating to protect sensitive electronics from harsh space radiation, ensuring reliability and longevity.
- Off-the-Shelf Materials: To keep costs low, the satellite is built using commercially available components, all tested to survive extreme temperatures and radiation in space.
- Web-Based Access: Through OrbitLab, users can interact with the satellite in real time, upload their own AI models, and receive processed results directly
Real-World Applications and Industry Impact
The implications of India’s first thinking satellite are vast and transformative:
- Environmental Monitoring: Real-time detection of oil spills, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions can help governments and NGOs respond faster.
- Agricultural Tracking: Farmers and agritech companies can monitor crop health, soil moisture, and yield forecasts, improving productivity and sustainability.
- Education: Schools and universities can conduct hands-on space experiments, making STEM education more interactive and inspiring.
- Commercial Analytics: GIS and data analytics companies can access actionable insights for urban planning, disaster management, and resource allocation.
- Maritime Surveillance: Tracking ships and monitoring illegal fishing or smuggling activities becomes more efficient with AI-driven analysis in space.
By reducing the size of data from petabytes to megabytes, TakeMe2Space is also solving the problem of data overload, making satellite services more practical and affordable for a wide range of users
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Innovating in the space sector is never easy. TakeMe2Space faces several challenges:
- Engineering Complexity: Building a satellite from scratch with off-the-shelf parts requires rigorous testing and creative problem-solving, especially for radiation protection and power management.
- Affordability vs. Innovation: Keeping costs low while integrating cutting-edge AI technology is a constant balancing act.
- Awareness and Adoption: As noted by industry experts, the startup must raise awareness among students and researchers to ensure widespread adoption of their platform.
- Security: Allowing remote access to a satellite demands robust cybersecurity measures to prevent misuse or accidental damage.
- Sustained Funding: As with any startup, securing investment for future missions and scaling up operations is critical.
Despite these hurdles, TakeMe2Space is optimistic, with plans to launch two more satellites after the ISRO demonstration mission and eventually build data centers in orbit
India’s Space Startup Ecosystem: Where Does TakeMe2Space Fit?
India’s space startup scene is booming, with companies like Skyroot, AgniKul, Dhruva Space, and Bellatrix Aerospace making headlines. TakeMe2Space stands out by focusing on the intelligence and accessibility of satellites rather than launch vehicles or hardware alone.
By offering a thinking satellite as a service, TakeMe2Space is not just joining the ranks of global space-tech companies—it’s setting new benchmarks for innovation, affordability, and democratization in the industry. The company’s open, collaborative culture and willingness to learn from both failures and industry veterans position it as a leader in India’s next space revolution.
Conclusion: The Future of Thinking Satellites in India
The launch of India’s first thinking satellite—a true brain in space—marks a turning point for the country’s space ambitions. By combining AI, affordability, and accessibility, TakeMe2Space is opening the final frontier to everyone, from students and educators to businesses and researchers.
As this technology matures, we can expect a surge in space-based innovation, with India at the forefront of AI-driven satellite services. For Startup INIDAX readers and the broader tech community, the message is clear: the future of space is not just about seeing and hearing—it’s about thinking, reasoning, and empowering the next generation to reach for the stars.
