At just 21, Snehadeep Kumar (from Durgapur, West Bengal) and Mohit Kumar Nayak (Computer Science student, Bhubaneswar) are turning heads in India’s space tech scene. They co-founded Nebula Space Organisation, a startup building a CubeSat capable of detecting gamma radiation something no Indian CubeSat has done yet.

Their approach is resourceful: instead of relying on expensive aerospace suppliers, they use locally-sourced materials like Aluminium 7075 bought from Bhubaneswar metal shops, and components produced via CNC cutting, drastically cutting costs. Their prototype will include modular, plug-and-play parts and be controlled through an app, with real-time data feed and live camera from orbit.

They’re also designing in de-orbiting features (solar sails, tracking) so their CubeSat won’t contribute to space debris. Their research has been accepted at the International Astronautical Congress 2024, marking validation. 

Major challenges remain: funding, full-scale manufacturing, testing and launch. But the vision is clear: democratise space exploration, empower students and developing countries, and expand into planetary imaging and interplanetary CubeSats.