MAHE and Dhruva Space to Co-Develop ASCENT Center in Manipal
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Dhruva Space have formed a collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop the ASCENT (Advanced Space Capability, Engineering and New-space Technologies) center at the MAHE Manipal campus.
ASCENT will enhance space systems engineering, applied research, mission development, and technology qualifications by uniting academia and industry to create, verify, and convert next-generation space technologies into practical applications.
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The center will also include specialized facilities for spacecraft development, integration, testing, and qualification.
The facility, anticipated to open in late 2026, will allow student-led satellite and hosted payload missions, giving students a comprehensive experience in spacecraft design, integration, testing, launch readiness, and on-orbit activities. Reports indicated that ASCENT will back initiatives in emerging space sectors while creating a setting for prototype creation, technology showcasing, and the transformation of innovations into applications prepared for the ecosystem.
Key research and engineering domains at ASCENT will concentrate on sophisticated space systems engineering and mission operations, autonomous and intelligent spacecraft technologies, sustainability in space and awareness solutions, along with emerging applications like space-based IoT and microgravity studies.
ASCENT aims to create and operate a minimum of three 1U-6U CubeSat missions by 2028, followed by the launch of a swarm constellation of femto satellites, an operational Space Situational Awareness center, and local bus designs, payloads, and modular satellite platforms by 2030.
Looking ahead, the center plans to conduct at least one interplanetary technology demonstration mission by 2035, which will support the progress of deep-space exploration and next-gen space technologies.
Quoting Sharath K Rao, Vice Chancellor of MAHE says, “Through our partnership with Dhruva Space, our students will have the unique opportunity to work on real satellite missions, gain hands-on experience with industry-grade infrastructure and learn by solving real engineering challenges. These are experiences that go far beyond the classroom”.
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“At MAHE, we believe the best way to prepare students is by giving them opportunities to build, test and innovate in real-world environments. ASCENT is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations, ensuring our graduates are not just qualified, but confident and ready to contribute to India’s growing space ecosystem.”
Chandrakala CB, In-Charge Director of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal says, “ASCENT represents a significant step in our commitment to advancing multidisciplinary research and innovation in space science and technology. Through this industry-academia collaboration, we aim to create an ecosystem that empowers students, researchers, and industry partners to develop technologies that will contribute to India’s growing space sector.”
Krishna Teja Penamakuru, Chief Operations Officer and Co-founder, Dhruva Space says, “India’s Space sector is marked by industrialisation, commercialisation, and the rapid expansion of indigenous capabilities. As the ecosystem evolves, the need extends beyond technology alone to the research infrastructure, talent, and industry-academia partnerships that will sustain long-term growth”.
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“Through ASCENT, we are establishing a CoE where ideas can mature from research to mission-ready solutions in close collaboration with industry. By bringing together students, researchers, faculty, and practising engineers, we are creating an environment where academic excellence is informed by real-world mission requirements, while industry benefits from innovative research and fresh perspectives”.