WHY WE EXIST
Engineering Curiosity. Inspiring Discovery.
Our Name
Reflecting the Universe Through Indian Innovation
India's emerging telescope manufacturer dedicated to precision optics, astronomy education and scientific innovation.
Bharat Dome Innovation Pvt Ltd
Akash Darpan is the flagship telescope brand of Bharat Dome Innovation Pvt. Ltd., a company dedicated to indigenous innovation in astronomy technologies, observatories, planetariums and precision optical systems. Our work combines manufacturing, education and research to strengthen India's scientific ecosystem.
OUR STORY : Every journey begins with curiosity.
What started as a fascination with the Moon and planets gradually evolved into a mission to build precision telescopes in India. Over more than a decade, our passion for astronomy has taken us from conducting workshops and public outreach to manufacturing indigenous optical instruments and creating innovative astronomy solutions.
Today, Akash Darpan represents more than a telescope brand. It is our commitment to making astronomy accessible through engineering, education and innovation.
TIMELINE
The Beginning of a Vision
Aryabhata Mobile Planetarium is Born
In 2014, Sathish Aryabhata and Lakshmipathy R founded Aryabhata Mobile Planetarium with a simple yet ambitious mission—to make astronomy accessible and exciting for every student. At a time when many children had never looked through a telescope, the duo travelled tirelessly across India, taking immersive astronomy experiences directly to schools and communities.
Their engaging storytelling, interactive demonstrations, and ability to simplify complex astronomical concepts earned invitations from educational institutions across 21 states of India. What began as a mobile planetarium soon evolved into a nationwide movement that inspired thousands of students to look beyond textbooks and develop a lifelong curiosity for science and the universe.
Inspiring 21,000 Young Minds
A Defining Outreach Across Coastal Karnataka
In 2018, a partnership with the Rotary Club of Bantwal marked one of the most significant milestones in the journey.
Over several months, Sathish and Lakshmipathy travelled extensively across Coastal Karnataka, conducting astronomy outreach programs that reached nearly 21,000 students. Through interactive planetarium sessions, telescope observations, and inspiring discussions on science and space, the initiative encouraged thousands of young learners to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The extraordinary impact of the program earned them the prestigious Nation Builders Award, presented by the Rotary Club of Bantwal during the presidency of Rtn. Manjunath Acharya, recognizing their outstanding contribution to science education and community service.
Building Telescopes, Building Scientists
The Birth of Astronomical Telescope Making Workshops
Believing that the best way to understand a telescope is to build one, the team introduced Astronomical Telescope Making (ATM) Workshops in 2019.
Conducted in batches of 40–50 participants, these workshops enabled students, educators, and astronomy enthusiasts to build fully functional reflector telescopes while learning the science behind optics making by grinding them to concave shape, mirror alignment, telescope assembly, and celestial observation.
The innovative approach to experiential STEM education attracted widespread attention and received recognition from leading English television channels and newspapers, establishing the workshops as one of India's unique hands-on astronomy education initiatives.
Empowering Educators
Astropreneur Teacher Training Initiative
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus expanded from student outreach to empowering teachers through the launch of Astropreneur, a specialised astronomy teacher training program.
The initiative equipped educators with practical skills in observational astronomy, telescope operation, and activity-based science teaching, enabling them to confidently introduce astronomy into their classrooms.
Over the course of the program, 33 teachers were successfully trained, creating a ripple effect that extended quality astronomy education to thousands of students across multiple institutions.
Creating Astronomy Ambassidors
Building Telescopes with Future Engineers
In 2022, Sathish collaborated with Alva's Institute of Engineering & Technology to establish and mentor an astronomy club, nurturing a passionate group of student innovators.
As part of the Bharat Scouts and Guides International Cultural Jamboree held at Alva's, Moodbidri, the selected students successfully designed and built 13 uniquely mounted telescopes, demonstrating the power of experiential engineering and collaborative learning.
The project showcased how practical astronomy education could inspire innovation while giving students the confidence to design and build scientific instruments of their own.
Recognition from the Scientific Community
Advanced Telescope Making Workshop
In 2023, Sathish conducted a specialised Astronomical Telescope Making Workshop for 25 individual participants at Mahila Seva Samaja, Bengaluru.
Participants learned every stage of telescope fabrication, from optical principles and assembly to testing and celestial observation, creating their own functional reflector telescopes through a structured hands-on learning experience.
The initiative received appreciation from Dr. P. G. Diwakar, Former Scientific Secretary of ISRO, who recognised the workshop as a meaningful contribution towards promoting indigenous telescope making and practical science education in India.
Bharat Dome Innovation Takes Shape
From Outreach to Innovation
After nearly a decade of hands-on experience in astronomy education, telescope making, and scientific outreach, Sathish Aryabhata and Lakshmipathy R founded Bharat Dome Innovation Pvt. Ltd.
The company was established with a clear vision: to design and manufacture indigenous astronomy infrastructure, including observatories, digital planetariums, precision telescopes, and advanced astronomy education technologies.
This marked the transition from conducting astronomy programs to building innovative products that could transform astronomy education across India.
A Year of National Recognition
Starry Whispers and Project Nanu Vignani
In early 2025, Sathish published his long-awaited experiential astronomy book, Starry Whispers: A Kudremukha Odyssey, encouraging readers to experience astronomy through storytelling, observation, and adventure.
Later that year, in collaboration with the Karnataka State Science and Research Council (KSSRC), Bharat Scouts and Guides, and several scientific mentors, the team launched Nanu Vignani (I Am Scientist).
Over the course of the program, 168 rural students worked together to build 150 functional telescopes, demonstrating that complex scientific instruments could be built through guided hands-on learning.
The initiative received appreciation from Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman of ISRO, and His Excellency Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka.
The program also achieved an extraordinary milestone by earning five record recognitions:
- 2 India Book of Records
- 2 Asia Book of Records
- 1 World Book of Records
It was widely covered through over 400 media reports, including television and digital news platforms.
education across India.
Elevate 2025 Winners official announcement
Akash Darpan Receives GOK Recognition
Bharat Dome Innovation was selected as a recipient of the prestigious Elevate 2025 startup program by the Government of Karnataka, securing a ₹25 lakh innovation grant.
The grant supports the development of Akash Darpan, with a focus on indigenous manufacturing technologies for concave mirror grinding machines, strengthening India's capability in precision optical manufacturing.
Training 250 Librarians
Shivamogga Becomes India's First Telescope-Enabled Library District
In March 2026, the team conducted a unique four-day astronomy training program for 250 librarians to build telescopes, teaching them to build telescopes, operate them confidently, and organise stargazing experiences within their communities.
The initiative demonstrated how public libraries could become vibrant centres for science learning and astronomy outreach.
Why Akash Darpan ?
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Precision Optics
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Made in India
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Telescope Training Institute of India-TTI Academy
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Award Winning Innovation
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Research Driven
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Support
Our Mission
To design and manufacture precision telescopes that inspire curiosity, advance astronomy education and make high-quality optical instruments accessible to learners, educators and explorers.
Our Vision
To establish India as a globally recognized telescope brand by advancing indigenous optical engineering, scientific learning and innovation.
LEADERSHIP
Sathish Aryabahata
Author of Starry Whispers, Leading product innovation, astronomy education and strategic growth.
Lakshmipathy R
Drives operations, manufacturing excellence and product execution across the organization.
Shreecharan
Contributes to precision mechanical design, prototyping and product development.
