Engineering:LACHIT-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) |
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]
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 |
Legacy
Despite the mission failure, LACHIT-1 represented a milestone for Northeast India's participation in space technology and student-driven aerospace research.[4]
The project demonstrated the growing role of academic institutions and regional innovation ecosystems in India's expanding space sector.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Assam Don Bosco University to launch Northeast’s first satellite LACHIT-1 on Jan 12". 8 January 2026. https://nenews.in/assam/assam-don-bosco-university-to-launch-northeasts-first-satellite-lachit-1-on-jan-12/39088/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Lachit-1, Northeast India's first satellite, launched from Sriharikota". The Sentinel Assam. 12 January 2026. https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/lachit-1-northeast-indias-first-satellite-launched-from-sriharikota.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "PSLV-C62 mission anomaly leaves Lachit-1 fate uncertain". The Times of India. 12 January 2026. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/pslv-c62-mission-anomaly-leaves-lachit-1-fate-uncertain/articleshow/126490400.cms.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Despite setback, Assam celebrates launch of Lachit-1 satellite". IANS. 12 January 2026. https://ianslive.in/despite-setback-assam-celebrates-launch-of-lachit-1-satellite--20260112190320.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Assam's first indigenous satellite Lachit-1 developed by 50 students". Northeast Live. 12 January 2026. https://northeastlivetv.com/topnews/assams-first-indigenous-satellite-lachit-1-developed-by-50-students-was-on-board-isros-pslv-c62/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "India – Assam Don Bosco University to launch Northeast's first satellite LACHIT-1". 2026. https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/26630-india-assam-don-bosco-university-to-launch-northeast-s-first-satellite-lachit-1-on-jan-12.
- ↑ "PSLV-C62 Mission". Vajiram & Ravi. https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/pslv-c62-mission/.
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