LACHIT-1
Student-built experimental satellite from Assam, India
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Live Amateur Communication Hub for Innovative Technologies – One or LACHIT-1 was a student-developed experimental satellite built by Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) in Assam, India. It is widely regarded as the first satellite developed from the Northeastern region of India.[1]
| Mission type | Technology demonstration / Amateur communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | Assam Don Bosco University |
| Mission duration | ~12 months (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | P-DoT nanosatellite platform |
| Manufacturer | Assam Don Bosco University |
| Launch mass | ~1U CubeSat class |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 12 January 2026 |
| Rocket | PSLV-C62 (PSLV-DL) |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India |
| Contractor | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous orbit (planned) |
The satellite was launched on 12 January 2026 aboard the PSLV-C62 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.[2]
However, the mission was lost following an anomaly in the rocket's third stage shortly after launch, preventing the payloads from reaching orbit.[3][4]
The project involved more than 50 students and faculty members from across the northeastern states and was developed with technical support from the private space company Dhruva Space.[1]
Background
Assam Don Bosco University initiated its institutional space programme in 2022 with the aim of developing regional capacity in satellite technology, mission operations, and space engineering.[5]
The LACHIT-1 satellite emerged from this programme as a student-led mission designed to provide hands-on experience in spacecraft design, integration, and operations.[1]
The satellite was named after Lachit Borphukan, the 17th-century Ahom military commander remembered for his leadership during the Battle of Saraighat.[1]
Development
The spacecraft was developed under Dhruva Space’s ASTRA (Accelerated Space Technology Readiness & Access) for Academia programme.[1]
The satellite was built using Dhruva Space's P-DoT nanosatellite platform and integrated using a collaborative workflow between university students and professional engineers.[6]
Subsystem testing, launch integration, and mission readiness reviews were conducted in coordination with Dhruva Space engineers.[1]
Mission profile
LACHIT-1 was intended to operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit as a technology demonstration satellite for communications and environmental monitoring.[2]
The mission objectives included:
- Demonstrating store-and-forward satellite communication using amateur radio frequencies.
- Testing Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors in space.
- Providing training in spacecraft operations for students.
- Supporting emergency communication systems in disaster-prone regions.[2][1]
The planned operational lifetime of the satellite was approximately one year.[2]
Payload
The satellite carried:
- Store-and-forward communication system — enabling short messages sent from ground stations to be stored onboard and retransmitted during later satellite passes.[6]
- IoT environmental sensors — designed to measure atmospheric temperature, humidity, and pollution levels.[5]
The communication payload was intended to support amateur radio operators and emergency communication scenarios where terrestrial networks may fail.[6]
Ground segment
Mission control and satellite communication were planned to be managed from a dedicated ground station established at Assam Don Bosco University's Tapesia campus near Guwahati.[2]
The ground station included VHF/UHF communication systems and Dhruva Space's Integrated Space Operations Command Suite for satellite monitoring and telemetry reception.[1]
Launch
LACHIT-1 was launched on 12 January 2026 aboard the PSLV-C62 mission from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.[2]
The launch was part of India's first space mission of 2026 and carried multiple payloads, including the hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite EOS-N1 as the primary payload.[7]
Launch failure
Shortly after liftoff, the PSLV-C62 launch vehicle experienced an anomaly in its third stage, resulting in loss of thrust and preventing the rocket from placing its payloads into orbit.[3]
The failure caused the loss of the primary payload EOS-N1 as well as all co-passenger satellites, including LACHIT-1.[4]
The incident marked the second consecutive failure of a PSLV mission within a year and prompted investigations by the Indian Space Research Organisation into the launch anomaly.[3]
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022 | ADBU launches institutional space programme |
| 2024–2025 | Satellite design, subsystem testing, and integration |
| January 2026 | Final launch readiness reviews completed |
| 12 January 2026 | Launch aboard PSLV-C62 |
| 12 January 2026 | Mission lost due to rocket anomaly |