After KOYO, Technopark-based HEX20 lines up six satellite missions, including MAYA-V1 and DINK-N1
After successfully launching its second satellite onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission last week, Thiruvananthapuram-based space-tech start-up HEX20 has six more lined up for the next 12
After successfully launching its second satellite onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission last week, Thiruvananthapuram-based space-tech start-up HEX20 has six more lined up for the next 12 months—two of which are named after the popular comic book characters Mayavi and Dingan. KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer), HEX20’s second satellite, was successfully launched for the Central University (NCU), Taiwan, on July 7, 2026. Now the Technopark-based small satellite manufacturing firm has a busy schedule ahead.
Satellites scheduled for launch in the coming months include NILA III, a CubeSat meant to qualify U.K.-based OhmSpace’s propulsion system; SAISI, a ship identification satellite for NCU; COSPAR-1, a space weather measurement satellite, which is a collaborative effort with the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); and a lander module, which will be part of the Emirates Mission to the asteroid belt. The remaining two satellites are HEX20’s own MAYA-V1 and DINK-N1.
The acronyms have been inspired by ‘Mayavi’ and ‘Dingan,’ the popular characters from children’s books, Aravind M.B., co-founder and chief operating officer of HEX20 told The Hindu. MAYA-V1 is short for ‘Multi Application Yearly Assimilated Vehicle,’ and ‘DINK-N1,’ for ‘Direct Imaging Network Node.’ The latter is a 30-35 kg satellite, while the former is a smaller payload. For HEX20, KOYO was a big step forward from its first satellite ‘Nila’ launched in 2025 in partnership with the U.S.-based SpaceX.
KOYO represents an important step in establishing HEX20 as a trusted global satellite mission partner, HEX20 chief executive officer Amal Chandran said in a statement. HEX20 co-founder and Chief Technical Officer Anurag Reghu said KOYO has performed as designed in orbit. It has also space-qualified HEX20’s solar panel deployment mechanisms, which include a novel feedback mechanism, hinge design and a deployable monopole rod antenna.
The BriefWire