Ahmedabad-based spacetech startup SatLeo Labs launched its thermal-imaging satellite, TAPAS-1, in October 2026. The three-kilogram payload was carried aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket under the Transporter-18 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite was deployed using Dhruva Space’s LEAP-2 platform. TAPAS-1 is described as India’s first dedicated commercial CubeSat-category thermal payload. It is designed to operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 500 kilometres and will use a long-wave infrared sensor to map surface temperatures from space. The mission signals growing private participation in India’s space sector and may influence future remote-sensing services for agriculture, mining, and urban planning.
Three-kilogram payload launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 under Transporter-18 from Vandenberg.
Deployed via Dhruva Space’s LEAP-2 platform; sun-synchronous orbit at ~500 km.
Long-wave infrared sensor will map surface temperatures from space.
Reflects rising private participation in India’s space sector.
Oct 01, 2026
Kerala develops machine-learning dengue early warning system (DEWS)
Researchers in Kerala have developed a Dengue Early Warning System (DEWS) using machine learning to forecast district-level dengue trends. The model integrates around six years of dengue surveillance data (March 2020–February 2026) with weather variables such as rainfall, temperature and humidity. It generates weekly forecasts for each district and classifies dengue risk as low, moderate, high, or very high. Officials say DEWS can help public-health authorities allocate resources in advance, bolster mosquito-control efforts, and strengthen disease-surveillance before outbreaks intensify. The project reflects collaboration between government researchers and public health agencies and may guide other states in similar efforts.
Project: DEWS using machine learning for dengue forecasting
Data used: March 2020–February 2026 plus weather variables
Output: weekly district-level risk categories (low to very high)
Purpose: guide resource allocation and vector control
Potential impact: earlier interventions; model could be replicated