SatLeo plans October 1 flight for thermal payload

SatLeo Labs has scheduled its TAPAS-1 (Thermal Access Platform for Analytics & Solutions) thermal-imaging payload for an October 1 flight on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, with Dhruva Space's LEAP-2 carrying it. SatLeo's website lists a target launch time of 23:48 IST. The flight remained ahead as this report was prepared on October 1.

The Times of India reported on September 29 that Ahmedabad-based SatLeo developed the payload for an in-orbit demonstration of thermal sensing and data processing. Business Standard reported the same planned flight on September 30. TAPAS-1 has not yet produced orbital data, and the test depends on launch and subsequent operation.

Dhruva Space is the host spacecraft provider. SatLeo identified LEAP-2 as the carrier, while Dhruva describes LEAP (Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads) as its hosted-payload programme built on the P-30 satellite bus. Neither company's public material establishes that TAPAS-1 has been deployed or validated in orbit.

SatLeo intends TAPAS-1 as a step toward its proposed PYRO thermal constellation. It cites potential uses in urban heat mapping, agriculture and infrastructure monitoring. Those uses are plans for the technology, not demonstrated results from this payload. The next dated milestone is the scheduled launch; flight and payload status will need confirmation afterward.