Introduction
India’s successful moon landing on Wednesday ushers in a new era for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) space missions, as for the first time, ISRO now has a rover plying on another celestial body. However, being more than 384,400 km away from the Moon, the mission team has no way of navigating the satellite. The Pragyan rover, which formed part of the just-landed Chandrayaan-3, is thus on its own on the Moon. The rover not only has to be able to see its surroundings, but it also has to make decisions about where to move and avoid hazardous obstacles. GetMyIndia.com
Made in India: Omnipresent Tech Navigates the Moon
In a proud moment for Indian innovation, Noida-based start-up Omnipresent Robot Technologies has powered the vision system of Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyaan rover. The company developed the Perception Navigation Software that enables the rover to “see” and navigate the Moon’s rugged terrain using stereo images captured by its onboard cameras.
This software processes real-time visual data to create 3D maps of the lunar surface, helping the rover detect obstacles and move autonomously. Originally designed for Chandrayaan-2, the upgraded tech found new life in ISRO’s latest and most successful moon mission.
The system not only aids autonomous navigation but also sends processed data back to mission control for deeper analysis. Omnipresent’s contribution marks a significant leap in India’s space-tech sector, highlighting how homegrown startups are playing a crucial role in national missions.
‘Pragyan software could be useful for defence applications’
Sinha’s team has been working with ISRO since the first lunar mission, Chandrayaan 1. For Chandrayaan 1, the team provided the modules that helped orient the orbiter around the Moon, he said. Sinha added: “That was a very good learning experience for us, and we continued our association with ISRO.”
According to him, the software used in the Pragyan rover not only has application in future space programmes, but could also be used in autonomous rovers for defence applications. Sinha explained that in border areas and conflict zones, autonomous rovers with this software could be deployed to map out a new terrain without risking human lives. Sinha is a faculty member at the Shiv Nadar University, while simultaneously running a drones and robotics lab at the Gautam Buddh University in Noida.
Omnipresent Robot Tech has also worked with the government to create digital maps of more than 10,000 villages using drones under the SVAMITVA programme. “That will help the government with proper documentation for land ownership and allotment,” Sinha said.
Perception Navigation Software
Akash Sinha told news agency PTI that he is very excited to see Pragyan rover moving on the surface of the moon using his company’s software. He said that the two cameras installed on the rover to take pictures of the moon will use software developed by his own startup. After taking pictures, this software will help in creating a 3D map from them. This software has been installed in the rover, and image processing will be done in the spacecraft. After this, the final 3D model will be sent to the mission control room.
This software will help the rover in this way
Akash said that based on the final 3D model in the mission control room, scientists can take the rover on a tour of that area. This will make it easier to investigate the surface of the moon while keeping the rover safe. He said that this software was designed for Chandrayaan-2, but at that time, the rover could not land on the surface of the moon. After this, it has now been used in Chandrayaan-3.
Software giving light to the eyes of the rover
Akash Sinha says that the Pragyan rover will find its way around the moon with two eyes. Let us tell you that the cameras used by foreign space agencies are very expensive, whereas only two cameras have been used in the Pragyan rover. These cameras will work like the eyes of the rover and will keep making a 3D map of the surface of the moon. That is, this software is working like giving light to the eyes of the rover, with the help of which it will be able to visit the area.
Conclusion
The contribution of the Noida-based tech start-up to Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyaan rover underscores the rising role of Indian start-ups in space technology. By powering the rover’s vision system, the company has played a vital part in enabling autonomous navigation on the lunar surface. This achievement highlights India’s growing capability in space exploration and reflects the increasing synergy between ISRO and innovative private enterprises. It’s a proud moment that signals a new era of collaborative progress in India’s space ambitions.
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