Hyderabad-based space technology company Dhruva Space has signed a tripartite MoU with Thales Alenia Space entities in France and Italy, opening new avenues for collaboration across satellite programmes, LEO constellations and space infrastructure.
India’s space industry is gaining another international collaboration as Dhruva Space enters into a strategic partnership with Thales Alenia Space to explore opportunities spanning satellite manufacturing, mission integration and future space infrastructure.
The Hyderabad-based full-stack space engineering solutions provider has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thales Alenia Space entities in France and Italy. The agreement creates a framework for the two organisations to identify and develop potential programmes connecting India’s expanding space capabilities with European expertise.
The partnership was formalised during Bengaluru Space Expo 2026, bringing together capabilities across satellite platforms, subsystems, production and infrastructure.
Exploring the Next Generation of Space Programmes
Under the agreement, Dhruva Space and Thales Alenia Space will examine cooperation across several areas of the space ecosystem. These include low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, satellite platforms and subsystems, satellite series production and integration, ground stations, and infrastructure supporting human spaceflight and cargo programmes.
For LEO constellation projects in particular, the partnership could explore how repeatable manufacturing and systems integration can support the production of satellites at scale. Collaboration around platforms and subsystems could further combine Dhruva Space’s engineering capabilities with Thales Alenia Space’s experience in delivering major international satellite programmes.
The companies will also explore opportunities involving ground and space infrastructure designed to support future human and cargo space missions.
Building an India-Europe Space Bridge
Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO and Co-founder of Dhruva Space, said India and Europe are strengthening their strategic and industrial ties, with technology, resilient supply chains and space emerging as areas of shared opportunity.
He noted that the inauguration of Dhruva Space’s cleanroom had already demonstrated the complementary capabilities and industrial ambitions of the two ecosystems. According to Nekkanti, the latest agreement provides a more structured route for moving beyond discussions and capability alignment towards identifying and developing future programmes.
The collaboration is therefore positioned not simply as a technology partnership, but as a potential framework for connecting Indian manufacturing and engineering capabilities with international space programmes.
Joint Teams to Identify Opportunities
The MoU will be supported by a joint working group comprising technical and business teams from the participating organisations. The group will evaluate potential opportunities and assess areas where the companies can jointly develop programmes.
A steering committee will provide strategic oversight and direction, helping guide the collaboration as potential projects are identified and developed.
This structure gives the partnership a mechanism to move from broad cooperation into detailed technical and commercial discussions.
Partnership Builds on Earlier Engagement
The new agreement also extends an existing relationship between Dhruva Space and Thales Alenia Space.
In October 2024, Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, co-inaugurated Dhruva Space’s Class 100,000 cleanroom in Hyderabad. The facility supports the production of space-grade solar arrays as well as the assembly, integration and testing of spacecraft weighing up to 500 kg, according to Dhruva Space.
That earlier engagement provides a foundation for the latest MoU, particularly as both companies explore opportunities that require satellite production, integration and supporting infrastructure.
Dhruva Space’s Global Ambitions
For Dhruva Space, the agreement forms part of its broader ambition to strengthen its position in the global space industry. The company aims to become an India-based partner for international space programmes spanning satellite platforms, production, subsystems and space infrastructure.
The partnership with Thales Alenia Space comes at a time when satellite constellations, commercial space infrastructure and international supply-chain partnerships are becoming increasingly important to the expansion of the global space economy.
By combining Dhruva Space’s growing capabilities in satellite engineering and mission integration with Thales Alenia Space’s international programme experience, the MoU establishes a framework for exploring future projects between India and Europe.
If successfully translated into programmes, the collaboration could create opportunities across the satellite manufacturing and infrastructure value chain while further connecting India’s space technology ecosystem with global markets.
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