The satellite, named after the legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan
Digital Desk: The northeast is set to make its debut in space with Lachit-1, the region’s first satellite mission, led by Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) in collaboration with ISRO. Official records show that no satellite from the northeast has been registered to any entity so far, making Lachit-1 a historic milestone for the region.
The satellite, named after the legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, will monitor atmospheric and environmental parameters for 12 months using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. It is designed to collect critical data on atmospheric pollution, temperature, humidity, and other environmental indicators. ADBU, a private university, launched its space programme in 2022 and has since steadily expanded into satellite engineering, mission operations, and ground-station management.
The launch is scheduled for 10:17 AM on January 12 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, under Hyderabad-based space engineering company Dhruva Space’s Polar Access-1 programme, aboard ISRO’s PSLV-DL-C62 rocket. Lachit-1 will be deployed into orbit using Dhruva Space’s DSOD-1U separation system.
“This student-led mission brings together talent from across the northeast and demonstrates satellite-based store-and-forward communications relevant to disaster response and regional capacity building,” said Prof. Vikramjit Kakati, mission director of Lachit-1 and director of ADBU’s Research and Development Cell. The satellite was developed entirely with ADBU’s own funding, and a Mission Control Room has been established at the university’s Tapesia Campus near Guwahati, from where the team will track and communicate with Lachit-1 post-deployment.
Scientists and engineers from both ADBU and Dhruva Space collaborated on the project. “Dhruva Space’s cross-functional teams mentored ADBU students through the entire satellite lifecycle, from design and assembly to integration and testing,” said Avinash Maramraju, director at Dhruva Space.
Once active, Lachit-1 will also be accessible to the global amateur radio community, allowing licensed operators to conduct satellite communications and experiments. In partnership with the National Institute of Amateur Radio, ADBU and Dhruva Space will conduct workshops and training programmes on using amateur satellites for disaster communication and emergency-response scenarios.
This landmark initiative not only marks the northeast’s entry into space but also highlights ADBU’s commitment to regional scientific innovation and skill development.
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