Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence deemed-to-be university, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space to jointly establish the ASCENT (Advanced Space Capability, Engineering & New-space Technologies) Centre at its Manipal campus. The initiative is aimed at creating a dedicated ecosystem for space research, technology development, spacecraft engineering, and industry-academia collaboration. 
The proposed centre, which is expected to be inaugurated in late 2026, will focus on advancing space systems engineering, applied research, mission development, and technology qualification. It will bring together academic researchers, students, and industry experts to develop, validate, and deploy next-generation space technologies for operational use. 
ASCENT will house specialised infrastructure required for spacecraft development, integration, testing, and qualification. The planned facilities include a Class 10,000 cleanroom, a Helmholtz cage, and an air-bearing table for spacecraft dynamics and control validation. These facilities are expected to support the complete spacecraft development cycle under one roof. 
The centre will also provide students with opportunities to participate in satellite and hosted payload missions, allowing them to gain practical experience across spacecraft design, system integration, testing, launch preparation, and on-orbit operations. The collaboration aims to combine classroom education with real engineering projects to develop industry-ready professionals while supporting technologies with commercial and national applications. 
Apart from student-led missions, ASCENT will support research across emerging areas of the space sector. Its core focus areas will include advanced space systems engineering, mission operations, autonomous spacecraft technologies, space sustainability, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), space-based Internet of Things (IoT), and microgravity research. The centre also plans to support prototype development, technology demonstration, and the conversion of research outcomes into deployable space applications. 
According to the roadmap shared by the partners, ASCENT aims to develop and operate at least three CubeSat missions ranging from 1U to 6U by 2028. The longer-term plans include deploying a swarm constellation of femto satellites, establishing a fully operational Space Situational Awareness Centre, and developing indigenous satellite bus designs, payloads, and modular satellite platforms by 2030. Looking further ahead, the centre intends to undertake at least one interplanetary technology demonstration mission by 2035. 
India's commercial space sector has witnessed rapid expansion following policy reforms that encouraged greater participation from private companies. The establishment of organisations such as IN-SPACe and the opening of the space sector to private enterprises have created new opportunities for satellite manufacturing, launch services, downstream applications, and space technology development. Against this backdrop, the ASCENT Centre has been planned to address the growing demand for advanced research infrastructure and skilled professionals by integrating academic research with industrial expertise. 
Speaking about the collaboration, MAHE Vice Chancellor Dr. Sharath K. Rao said the space sector is witnessing rapid transformation, creating new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and talent development. He stated that universities have an important role in supporting this growth and that ASCENT reflects MAHE's commitment to developing skilled professionals, advancing research, and contributing to India's expanding space ecosystem. 
He further stated that the partnership with Dhruva Space will provide students with direct exposure to real satellite missions, access to industry-grade infrastructure, and opportunities to solve practical engineering challenges. According to him, such experiences will help bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, enabling graduates to contribute effectively to the country's growing space sector. 
Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) In-Charge Director Prof. Chandrakala C.B. said the centre marks another step towards strengthening multidisciplinary research and innovation in space science and technology. She noted that the collaboration is expected to create an ecosystem where students, researchers, and industry partners can jointly develop technologies for India's expanding space industry. 
Dr. Balbir Singh, Coordinator of MIT Space Programs, stated that ASCENT has been designed as a multidisciplinary facility supporting the complete space mission lifecycle. He said the centre will undertake work in advanced space systems engineering, mission operations, student-led satellite missions, hosted payload programmes, solar sails, deployable space systems, autonomous swarm technologies, ground segment technologies, and space-based IoT. He added that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will also be integrated into future autonomous space operations, while collaborations in microgravity research, academia, government, and industry will further strengthen India's NewSpace ecosystem. 
Krishna Teja Penamakuru, Chief Operations Officer and Co-founder of Dhruva Space, said India's space industry is moving towards greater industrialisation, commercialisation, and indigenous capability development. He stated that sustained growth will require investments not only in technology but also in research infrastructure, skilled talent, and industry-academia partnerships. According to him, ASCENT has been conceived as a Centre of Excellence where research can evolve into mission-ready technologies through close collaboration between students, researchers, faculty members, and practising engineers. 
He added that by combining MAHE's multidisciplinary academic expertise with Dhruva Space's end-to-end space engineering capabilities, the centre is expected to support indigenous technology development, collaborative research and development, and the creation of mission-ready professionals. The partnership also aims to establish a scalable model for industry-academia collaboration while strengthening India's long-term competitiveness in the commercial space sector. 
MAHE currently offers more than 400 specialisations across health sciences, management, law, humanities, technology, and science through campuses in Manipal, Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. The institution received the Institution of Eminence status from the Ministry of Education in 2020 and was ranked third in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. 
Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space is a full-stack space engineering company operating across satellite, launch, and ground segments. The company provides integrated satellite, earth station, and launch services for civilian and defence applications in India and international markets. 
Source PTI