Melbourne-based deep-tech startup, Akula Tech, recently achieved a milestone with the successful launch of its AI-powered smart satellite, Nexus-01, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket via Dhruva Space’s LEAP-1 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Station in California.
Founded by Indian-origin entrepreneur Preetham Akula, the startup partnered with Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space under the Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads (LEAP) program. The mission also carries Esper Satellites’ OTR-2 hyperspectral imager, creating an end-to-end in-orbit data acquisition and processing ecosystem.
Nexus-01 is being hailed as Australia’s most advanced AI-powered satellite, showcasing next-generation on-orbit artificial intelligence. Its onboard computing module processes hyperspectral data from Level 0 to Level 3 and runs multiple AI models simultaneously to deliver real-time insights directly from space.
The breakthrough technology has far-reaching applications in defence, disaster response, climate monitoring, mining, shipping, agriculture and more.
By shifting from the traditional model of downlinking massive datasets for later Earth-based processing, Nexus-01 enables near-instant onboard analysis, slashing latency from days to minutes. This means insights can be delivered when they matter most—such as during floods, wildfires or other emergencies.
“This is more than a satellite, it’s a vision becoming reality,” said Akula Tech founder and CEO Preetham Akula. “Our AI engine can analyse complex data in orbit and deliver actionable insights with minimal delay. This mission is a stepping stone toward software-defined smart satellites and next-generation real-time intelligence infrastructure.”
Akula Tech’s leadership highlighted the adaptability of the system, which can retrain AI models in orbit, adjust to new data, and operate across multiple use cases in parallel. The satellite also enables continuous improvement by retraining on live sensor data, laying the groundwork for an autonomous constellation of AI-enabled satellites working as a swarm.
Industry experts say the launch not only strengthens Australia’s standing in intelligent satellite systems but also underscores the growing contribution of Indian-origin innovators to global space technology.
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