Kerala's HEX20 Soars High as SpaceX Launches 'Nila' Satellite
Thiruvananthapuram-based space startup HEX20 has achieved a significant breakthrough with the successful launch of its first satellite, ‘Nila,’ aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 13 mission on March 15. The satellite, named after Kerala’s longest river, is designed to control the movement of critical components such as solar arrays and antennas in space missions.
A key highlight of the mission was the deployment of an actuator payload developed by German firm Decubed, integrated into the Nila satellite by HEX20. The project was backed by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), a government agency that facilitates and authorizes private space sector activities in India.
On March 16, Nila successfully transmitted its first signal to HEX20’s ground control station at Marian Engineering College in Thiruvananthapuram. The mission marks a major milestone for HEX20, which was founded in 2020 by five engineers Lloyd Jacob Lopez, Anurag Reghu, Amal Chandran, Ashwin Chandran, and Aravind M B. Operating from Technopark since 2023, this is the company’s first major space project and one of the few private-led satellite launches in India.
Despite being a private endeavor, the mission received crucial support from ISRO, which provided testing facilities and authorized the establishment of a tracking station at Marian Engineering College. “ISRO gives priority to national and defense projects, but they extended their facilities to us for essential testing”, said Lloyd Jacob Lopez, CEO of HEX20.
With the successful launch of Nila, HEX20 is looking to expand its operations. The company plans to train students at Marian Engineering College in satellite tracking and space mission management. It has previously worked with the UAE space agency and is now gearing up for a more ambitious project—a 50kg satellite launch in collaboration with ISRO next year.
The team views Nila as the foundation for future space missions. “This is more than just a satellite launch. We are building global partnerships, creating opportunities for research, and enabling commercial applications in space technology”, said Amal Chandran, Chief Technical Officer at HEX20.
As India’s private space sector continues to grow, HEX20’s success with Nila sets the stage for further innovation, strengthening the country’s position in the global space industry.
