Press Release
Akula Tech’s flagship mission, Nexus-01, will debut on-orbit AI capable of processing and analyzing hyperspectral data in real time, redefining the future of space intelligence.
[Melbourne, Australia] (5th August 2025) – Melbourne-based deep-tech startup Akula Tech is set to make history with the launch of Nexus-01, Australia's most advanced AI powered Smart Satellite, aboard Dhruva Space’s LEAP-1 mission on SpaceX’s Falcon 9. This mission represents a leap forward for intelligent satellite systems and marks a significant milestone in Australia’s space capability.
Nexus-01 is Akula Tech’s ambitious demonstration of next-generation on-orbit AI. The satellite will feature an onboard computing module that processes hyperspectral data from Level 0 to Level 3 and simultaneously runs multiple AI models on this processed data to generate diverse actionable insights, all in orbit. This real-time intelligence has critical applications across defense, emergency response, climate monitoring, agriculture, and beyond.
To bring this groundbreaking mission to life, Akula Tech has partnered with Dhruva Space, leveraging their vertically integrated approach to Space missions under the Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads (LEAP) hosted payload program. The Nexus mission will also fly Esper Satellites’ OTR-2 hyperspectral imager, creating a complete in-space data acquisition and processing framework.
From Raw Data to Real-Time Decisions
Akula’s vision is to redefine satellite operations: instead of downlinking massive datasets and processing them days later on Earth, Nexus-01 enables near-real time onboard analysis, cutting the latency from days to minutes. With Esper’s cutting-edge hyperspectral sensor capturing rich Earth data and Akula’s AI engine processing and analyzing it in orbit, this mission completes the end-to-end intelligence loop. Insights are delivered faster, precisely when they matter most.
This mission is set to launch in Q3 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9, in collaboration with Dhruva Space. It represents a powerful Indo-Australian strategic partnership, further supported by the United States launch ecosystem.
“This is more than a satellite, it’s a vision becoming reality,” says Preetham Akula, CEO, Akula Tech.
“Our team has built an AI engine that can run in orbit, analyse complex data like hyperspectral imagery, and deliver insights with minimal latency. This mission lays the foundation for Akula’s future software-defined smart satellites and next-generation space-based real-time intelligence infrastructure. Partnering with Dhruva Space and Esper Satellites allows us to validate this technology in the real world. It’s a surreal moment, and we invite everyone to join us as we prepare for launch.”
Shreyas Urunkar, CTO, Akula Tech, adds:
“Nexus-01 is about demonstrating the power of adaptability and speed in space. Our system can retrain models in orbit, adjust to new data, and operate in parallel across multiple use cases, whether it’s mapping floods or tracking wildfires. This level of onboard intelligence represents a real shift in how we utilize satellite capabilities.”
Nishq , Chief AI Officer, Akula Tech shares:
"Nexus-01 mission represents a breakthrough in space-based artificial intelligence. Our space-ready AI model optimization technology allows us to optimize and compress any geospatial AI/ML models to run efficiently on the edge in space, supporting applications like fire detection, anomaly detection, and spectral analysis that provide near real-time insights to government and defence personnel. Furthermore, these models will improve themselves over time by continuously retraining live sensor data. This launch will give flight heritage to five of our distinct software products while enabling the uplink of newer AI/ML models directly to the satellite throughout the mission lifetime. Most importantly, it establishes the foundation for an autonomous, coordinated constellation of Software-Defined Smart satellites that work together as a swarm, essentially placing a geospatial intelligence analyst directly in space to sense and detect critical features of interest.”
Shoaib Iqbal, COO & Co-founder, Esper Satellites, shares:
“This is our fourth satellite mission and one of our most exciting. Flying OTR-2 with Akula’s AI module will help demonstrate just how powerful hyperspectral data can be when processed immediately. We're showing that cutting-edge space tech can be fast, lean, and globally competitive.”
Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO & Co-founder, Dhruva Space, remarks:
“We are confident the multilateral, collaborative approach of our LEAP hosted payload program drives innovation, brings down costs, and invests in commercial capabilities to grow the business opportunities that can serve other customers and further foster a global Space economy. Teaming up with our commercial partners in Australia creates remarkable opportunities for Indo-Australian Space business, which will, in turn, foster a long-term partnership. We are also happy to share that our LEAP series of hosted payload missions continues to thrive, observing traction from private Space players in India, Australia, France, and more.”
Forging the Future, Together
This mission marks a new chapter, not just for Akula Tech and Nexus-01, but for Australia’s emerging leadership in intelligent satellite technology. This launch represents the first step toward building a constellation of AI-enabled satellites capable of addressing global challenges through real-time decision-making. Akula Tech invites students, graduates, researchers, industry experts, and investors to be a part of this journey. Whether you're curious, ambitious, or ready to collaborate, they would love to hear from you.
About Akula Tech
Akula Tech is a Melbourne-based space and defence technology company pioneering the development of software-defined, intelligent satellite systems. The company’s satellites are equipped with advanced edge-AI capabilities and designed for fully autonomous operations, supporting a wide range of applications including Earth observation, communications, national security, defence, emergency response, and commercial sectors such as mining, logistics, and infrastructure. At the core of Akula Tech’s innovation is proprietary AI software and cutting-edge manufacturing expertise. By integrating intelligent autonomy into space systems, Akula Tech is redefining the satellite paradigm, making satellites faster, smarter, and more responsive to complex mission requirements. Akula Tech’s long-term vision extends beyond space, with active efforts underway to bring the same level of autonomy, and intelligence to multi-domain platforms across air, land, and sea. The company is committed to enabling a future of trusted, heterogeneous autonomous systems that operate seamlessly across diverse environments.
About Esper Satellites
Esper Satellite Imagery is a Melbourne-based startup focusing on collecting hyperspectral imagery from micro satellite constellations to supercharge industries with environmental data.
About Dhruva Space
Dhruva Space Private Limited is a full-stack Space Engineering solutions provider based in Hyderabad, India. The company is active across Space, Launch, and Ground segments and supports Civilian and Defense clients worldwide.
Dhruva Space offers Satellite/s coupled with Earth Station/s and Launch Service/s as an integrated solution or individually as technology solutions to power Space-based applications on Earth and beyond.
For partnership opportunities or investment inquiries, please contact:
📩 disha@akulatech.com
🌐 www.akulatech.com
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