‘MIRA’ makes its mark in space:Indore-Ujjain youths’ camera launched on SpaceX rocket

A 502-gram camera developed by Ujjain engineer and Founder of EON Space Labs, Punit Badeka, has been launched into space aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission. The camera, named ‘MIRA’ (Miniaturized Telescope-Based Imaging System), was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12.02 am IST on October 2. According to Badeka, MIRA is 8–12 times lighter than foreign space cameras. It was originally scheduled to be launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 rocket in January, but the rocket failed to reach its designated orbit due to a technical problem. India needs its own optical technology Badeka said India has long faced a shortage of this type of technology and claimed that the country imports around $11 billion worth of optical technology. He said the need became clear during seven years of work in the field. India also remains dependent on foreign satellites for data in several areas, creating uncertainty over whether information can be received in real time. Badeka said the government’s push to open the space sector to private companies also encouraged his team to develop the technology. Camera could help in agriculture, border surveillance Badeka expects the first images from MIRA to be received around October 10. The camera developed by EON Space Labs could be used for: Technology receives patent Badeka completed his engineering degree in Ujjain and later pursued a master’s degree at SGSITS in Indore. He founded the EON Space Labs startup in 2021 with Bihar-based Sanjay Kumar and Manoj Kumar Gaddam. The camera was developed in about a year. According to Badeka, ultra-precision manufacturing machines were used to reduce its weight, and the technology has also received a patent.