SITARON Mein Safar

Kshitij Khandelwal is the co-founder and CTO of Pixxel, where he leads technology strategy and spacecraft development. Pixxel is a space data company redefining Earth observation through hyperspectral imaging – their mission is to build a health monitor for the planet. They are developing a constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites called Fireflies, capable of capturing 150+ spectral bands at up to 5-metre resolution, enabling detection of phenomena invisible to conventional satellites: vegetation stress, water contamination, mineral mapping, and more. Their in-house analytics platform, Aurora, pairs this imagery with AI-powered analysis to shift Earth observation from reactive to predictive. Pixxel is one of the highest-funded space-tech startups in India, and one of the highest-funded hyperspectral imaging company globally. Kshitij co-founded Pixxel in 2019 while studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering at BITS Pilani – the startup spirit began, much like many of yours, from a deep passion for building things that go to space.

Kshitij will present "Back to the Future: The Next Decade in Space Technology", followed by an open discussion with the audience. There will be plenty of opportunities for the audience to ask questions.

Tanveer Ahmed is the co-founder and CTO of Digantara. He spearheads design and development of core Space Situational Awareness capabilities. He started off with a passion similar to many of you: developing payloads for his university satellite team. Digantara is a space surveillance and intelligence company focused on space domain awareness, aiming to enhance safety in space operations through accurate tracking and monitoring of orbital objects. They have developed the world's first commercial space surveillance satellite, capable of tracking small objects in orbit. They are developing an end-to-end infrastructure to address the difficulties of space operations and space traffic management through its pioneering Space - Mission Assurance Platform a.k.a. Space - MAP, which in their words will be as sophisticated and powerful as Google Maps! 

Prof. Arindrajit Chowdhury is the co-founder and CEO of InspeCity. As a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Bombay, his research spans combustion science, propulsion systems, and optical diagnostics. InspeCity, a pioneering space-tech startup aiming to extend satellite lifespans and build sustainable orbital infrastructure. InspeCity develops autonomous robotic platforms for satellite servicing and envisions future space-based ecosystems. Prof. Chowdhury’s dual roles reflect his commitment to advancing both terrestrial and extraterrestrial engineering frontiers. Under his leadership, InspeCity has been growing leaps and bounds.

Tushar Jadhav is the Co-founder and CEO of Manastu Space, a pioneering Indian space tech startup focused on developing green propulsion technologies for satellites. An alumnus of IIT Bombay with a background in Aerospace Engineering, Jadhav has led his company to develop innovative hydrogen peroxide-based green propulsion systems that offer safer, non-toxic alternatives to conventional hydrazine propellants. Under his leadership, Manastu has secured significant funding and partnerships with ISRO and international space agencies. Prior to founding Manastu Space, Jadhav was a part of the IITB Student Satellite Program, followed by a stint at DRDO. His vision of making space operations more sustainable through environmentally friendly propulsion technology has positioned Manastu as one of India's most promising space startups in the growing NewSpace ecosystem.