It all started with a spark of curiosity. A group of 42 students, all under the age of 19, dared to dream big. Together, we envisioned building and launching something groundbreaking: a CubeSat equipped with fully functional neuromorphic technology—designed to think, learn, and understand its environment.
But our mission wasn’t just about building technology—it was about honoring a legacy. We named our CubeSat ULOG3, or PRP-Sat, in tribute to Dr. Prisorth Rama Prisorthy, the father of Indian remote sensing. This satellite is our way of carrying forward his vision and showing the world what young minds can accomplish.
The 2030 Dream: Setting Our Sights on Space
Our ultimate goal? To launch a fully functional PRP-Sat by 2030. We set ourselves this ambitious timeline, giving us six key milestones to meet. But we had to start somewhere—and for our first milestone, we needed to prove that a prototype of our CubeSat could reach the stratosphere.
On September 30, 2024, after countless late nights, setbacks, and breakthroughs, we reached that first milestone. With the help of a weather balloon, our CubeSat prototype soared up to the stratosphere, marking our first major success. Seeing that prototype rise into the sky was a moment we’ll never forget. It was proof that our dream wasn’t just possible—it was happening.
Building a Satellite with Our Own Hands and from Scraps
With no formal training and no big-budget support, we had to get creative. Most of our components came from discarded parts. Every penny we used came from our own savings and from our incubation cell, every skill learned from scratch. We didn’t have mentors guiding us or experts showing us how it’s done. Instead, we turned to the internet, to each other, and to a fierce determination to make it happen.
Our CubeSat prototype wasn’t just a collection of parts; it was a functioning research lab. Using SSTV technology for image transmission, our satellite was able to capture photos of Earth’s surface from high up. But we didn’t stop there. We developed eight different software programs to analyze cloud structures, measure thermal patterns, and map areas of interest like forests, roads, and water bodies. We created something capable of observing and analyzing the world below, all with the power of machine learning and MATLAB.
Lessons Learned, Challenges Conquered
No one could’ve prepared us for the challenges we’d face. Each day brought new problems to solve. There were times when we had to start from scratch, days when everything seemed impossible. But every setback made us stronger, more driven to succeed. Each failure became a stepping stone, pushing us forward.
We were on our own, but together, we learned and grew. With no mentors, no guidance, we taught ourselves how to make a dream take flight. Our success wasn’t just in getting the CubeSat off the ground, but in every single obstacle we overcame along the way.
A Legacy to Carry Forward and a Future to Create
PRP-Sat isn’t just a satellite. It’s proof of what young minds can achieve when they refuse to give up. We’re not just building technology; we’re building a legacy. This journey isn’t just about reaching space in 2030—it’s about proving that even the boldest dreams can come true.
What’s Next? The Journey Continues
This is only the beginning. Our path to 2030 is clear, but it won’t be easy. We’re ready to tackle each milestone with the same passion and resilience that got us here. With each launch, we’re proving that young innovators can reshape the future, that our ideas can reach the stars.
Follow us as we push forward. We’re not just building a satellite—we’re building the future.
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