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Tata Sons stays, 4 more PSUs enter NBFC upper layer Bank of India Credit Officer admit card 2026 released at bankofindia.bank.in: Direct link to download hall ticket here ‘G.D.N.’ EXPLAINED: Cast, plot and what audiences are saying about R Madhavan’s biopic on ‘Edison of India’ 8/8 Lion’s Portal Horoscope Opens on Taurus Moon: These Zodiac Signs May Feel Ready for a Major Change Thailand school shooting: Student opens fire; 2 dead D4vd murder case: Prosecutors detail final hours of Celeste Rivas Hernandez before streamer’s arrest Aule On-screen setup running multibody dynamics simulations and tracking system capturing hardware test data for position and velocity for correlation BENGALURU: What if satellites could simply plug into a power bank instead of drifting away when they run out of fuel? That’s the idea driving a Bengaluru startup building “jetpack” satellites designed to latch onto ageing spacecraft, take over their propulsion duties and keep billion-dollar assets working years longer.After recently validating a key part of its technology at an Isro facility used for India’s SpaDeX docking mission, Aule Space is now preparing for what could become one of the world’s most ambitious private satellite docking demonstrations.Aule 2: Dark room hardware test setup where the team recreated on-orbit lighting conditions with a sun simulator and a target mounted on a robotic arm to simulate the target’s motion.For satellite operators, running out of fuel doesn’t necessarily mean spacecraft have reached the end of life. In many cases, expensive communication satellites remain fully functional, but can no longer maintain their assigned orbital positions because they have exhausted the propellant needed for station-keeping. Once that happens, operators are forced to retire assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars.Aule has found another way. “We’re trying to build satellites which can go and dock to existing satellites in space which don’t have any installed ports… and extend their life so that they can keep generating revenue,” CEO Jay Panchal, told TOI. “It’s like a power bank,” he added.Instead of attempting the far more complicated task of refuelling satellites in orbit, Aule’s approach is to send a smaller “jetpack” spacecraft that docks with an existing communications satellite and assumes responsibility for station-keeping using its own propulsion system. The company plans to target geostationary communication satellites, many of which cost more than $300 million to build and generate significant annual revenues.The challenge lies in docking with satellites that were never designed to be serviced. Rather than relying on dedicated docking ports, Aule will attach its spacecraft to the liquid apogee motor (LAM) nozzle, a standard external feature found on most geostationary satellites.If successful, the technology could help operators extract years of additional service from satellites that would otherwise become orbital relics. Panchal said each docked “jetpack” could extend a satellite’s operational life by up to 5 years.*Key Test Done*The startup recently completed a major milestone by testing its camera-based guidance, navigation and control system at the Rendezvous Simulation Laboratory (RSL) at Isro’s ISITE — the same lab where critical elements of the SpaDeX were validated.“We were the first non-govt entity to access RSL. This is the best kind of on-ground testing we can do for these capabilities,” Panchal said.One of Aule’s differentiators is its reliance on computer vision instead of multiple specialised sensors. Current docking systems typically use LiDAR, infrared cameras and other sensors. Aule says its spacecraft will perform the critical final approach using a single optical camera powered by onboard AI. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe visual navigation models are trained using data generated in its own facilities and validated at Isro’s testbed before being deployed in orbit.The company is targeting an in-orbit demonstration next year, when it plans to launch two satellites that will autonomously dock in low-Earth orbit. Panchal claims it could be the world’s first private mission to perform non-cooperative docking in LEO using camera-only navigation. The mission will validate technologies that Aule ultimately intends to deploy around geostationary communication satellites.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student ProtestsContent Creator Ayush Rana On Jharkhand Protest Funding, Viral Videos, Dhoni’s Silence & More‘Gen Z Protesters Are Not Anti-National’: RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat Says ‘Protest Is A Way Of Dialogue’Jharkhand’s ‘Sonam Wangchuk 2.0′ Devendra Nath Mahato Enters Day 5 Of Indefinite Hunger Strike Fast’Not Enemies’: Rijiju Meets Rahul Gandhi Over Sansad Logjam, Reacts To Amit Shah Statement DemandAtiq Ahmed’s Youngest Son Abaan Dies In Jhansi Road Accident, Conflicting Accounts Emerge Over Crash‘Youth Wants CJP To Become Political Party’: Dipke, Saurav Das Announce ‘Kya Bolti Public’ CampaignBombay HC Convicts Tehelka Founder Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case; Reverses 2021 AcquittalThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong Conviction123PhotostoriesWearing flat, cushion-less slippers at home all day? 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NEW DELHI: The protest by JPSC and JSSC aspirants in Jharkhand entered its 14th day on Thursday, with students demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, while political pressure on the Hemant Soren government intensified.The protest, launched on July 25 under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has grown into one of Jharkhand’s largest student-led movements in recent years. Protesters are seeking cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, an independent probe into alleged irregularities, and comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC. Here are the top developments:BJP MLAs protest outside AssemblyBJP MLAs on Thursday staged a protest outside the Jharkhand Assembly, on the first day of the Monsoon Session, over alleged irregularities in the state competitive examinations.Speaking to ANI, BJP MLA Alok Chaurasia said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party stands firmly and vocally with the students regarding the functioning of Jharkhand government agencies such as JPSC, JSSC, and CJL, as well as the widespread corruption across the state, particularly the fraud committed against students…”The legislators raised slogans against the government, with chief whip Naveen Jaiswal alleging it was “selling” Jharkhand’s youths’ future and demanding a CBI probe, saying, “nobody trusts your CID and committee.”Rahul Gandhi speaks to aspirantsRahul Gandhi speaks to aspirantsCongress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to JPSC-JSSC aspirants over the phone on Thursday. Student leader Piyush Kumar said the students raised their demand for cancellation of the examination, an investigation and reforms.”We told him of our demands, that exam should be cancelled, regarding investigation and reforms. He said that he stands with our demands, and that they will take it up with the Govt. He said that he stands with and supports students…We are yet to get any official information regarding the date and time of meeting (with the government),” Kumar said.Student leader Ravindra Paswan said Gandhi enquired about the situation at the protest site.”He asked us about the situation here. We told him about the irregularities in exams here. We told him that Congress is in the government in Jharkhand and they should help us. He told us that he stands with students,” Paswan said.11-member delegation finalisedAccording to JPSC JSSC Reform Manch, protesting students have finalised an 11-member delegation for talks with the state government. The group comprises eight student representatives, one lawyer and two technical experts.The eight student representatives are Piyush Kumar Singh, Ravindra Paswan, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Kartik Soren, Ravindra, Ankit Kumar and Shalu Singh.Students have also demanded that any dialogue with the government be held in the presence of the media.Officials reach protest siteRanchi Sadar SDO Rajat Kumar and ADM Dhananjay Kumar reached Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to hear the grievances of the protesting aspirants.”We came to speak with our younger brothers about how we can assist them in their preparations for the future,” Rajat Kumar said.A protester said there had been a suggestion that a four- or five-member delegation should participate in talks, but students insisted on a transparent process.’Assembly gherao’ on MondayAmid the continuing agitation, students announced a “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” on August 10 if their demands are not met. Protester Radhe Kumar said the decision was taken after the government initiated contact with the students.JMM MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato urged the government to immediately open talks, warning that “something untoward will happen” if the situation remains unresolved.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHunger strike continuesActivist Sonam Wangchuk rejected reports that student leader Devendra Nath Mahato had ended his hunger strike after speaking with him. A total of six demonstrators are presently on a hunger strike.In a video message on X, Wangchuk said, “He consumed water, not food; I want to clarify this.”He added, “He was fasting without water and without food, which is, in a way, like suicide. So, I only urged him to consume water and salt now and continue his fast.”Mahato began his indefinite hunger strike on August 2 at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. He is now continuing the fast on water and salt.Minister claims 19 arrestedJharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said on Thursday that the government was investigating the allegations and that 19 people had been arrested.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student ProtestsContent Creator Ayush Rana On Jharkhand Protest Funding, Viral Videos, Dhoni’s Silence & More‘Gen Z Protesters Are Not Anti-National’: RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat Says ‘Protest Is A Way Of Dialogue’Jharkhand’s ‘Sonam Wangchuk 2.0′ Devendra Nath Mahato Enters Day 5 Of Indefinite Hunger Strike Fast’Not Enemies’: Rijiju Meets Rahul Gandhi Over Sansad Logjam, Reacts To Amit Shah Statement DemandAtiq Ahmed’s Youngest Son Abaan Dies In Jhansi Road Accident, Conflicting Accounts Emerge Over Crash‘Youth Wants CJP To Become Political Party’: Dipke, Saurav Das Announce ‘Kya Bolti Public’ CampaignBombay HC Convicts Tehelka Founder Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case; Reverses 2021 AcquittalThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong Conviction123PhotostoriesWearing flat, cushion-less slippers at home all day? 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