Bengaluru: Two Indian space-tech startups reached another milestone this week after their satellites hitched a ride on Elon Musk-led SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in a successful launch early on August 27.

The Bengaluru-based venture added three more “Firefly” hyperspectral satellites to its growing constellation, taking its tally in orbit to six.

These satellites, capable of capturing over 135 spectral bands at a 5-meter resolution across a 40-kilometre swath, allow governments and enterprises to track environmental changes with remarkable precision. The company also revealed plans to launch its next line of “Honeybees,” which will expand spectral coverage and enable faster revisit times. Backed by global investors such as Google, Lightspeed, and Glade Brook Capital, the firm has raised $95 million to date.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad-based player carried payloads from Australia’s Akula Tech and Esper Sats — marking its first commercial mission. The 13-year-old startup, which builds satellite platforms and ground stations, described the launch as a stepping stone in strengthening Indo-Australian space business ties. It has so far raised $15 million from investors, including Indian Angel Network Alpha Fund and Blue Ashva Capital.

Together, these missions underline how Indian space-tech companies are stepping up innovation and global collaborations, signaling the country’s growing weight in the commercial space economy.

About SpaceX’s Falcon 9:
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is a two-stage reusable rocket developed by Elon Musk’s aerospace company, designed to reliably transport satellites, cargo, and crew into orbit at lower costs. First launched in 2010, Falcon 9 has since become the workhorse of global space missions, completing hundreds of launches for NASA, governments, and private enterprises. Its reusability — with boosters capable of landing back on Earth for refurbishment and reuse — has revolutionized the economics of spaceflight, making it one of the most frequently flown and trusted launch vehicles in the world.