TakeMe2Space's PowerBank‑50 Becomes Ist Space‑Proven Satellite Battery on Skyroot’s Vikram‑1

• Aboard Skyroot’s Historic Vikram-1, TakeMe2Space’s PowerBank-50 Becomes the First Made in India, Off the Shelf Satellite Battery to Earn Flight Heritage on a Private Indian Orbital Launch

The indigenously built, commercially available 50 Wh battery pack powered Cosmoserve Space’s experimental payload at a 450 km orbit aboard Skyroot’s Vikram-1 ‘Aagaman’, the first privately developed Indian rocket to reach orbit. With this flight, PowerBank-50 graduates from a tested product to a flight proven one, a distinction that defines the global satellite components market.

Hyderabad, India, 30 July 2026: TakeMe2Space today announced that its PowerBank-50 satellite battery pack is officially space proven, having successfully completed its first mission aboard Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 on its maiden flight, Mission ‘Aagaman’, launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on 18 July 2026.

The mission itself was a landmark for the nation. Vikram-1 became the first privately developed Indian rocket to reach orbit, making India only the third country in the world, after the United States and China, where a private company has achieved orbital launch capability. Riding on that historic flight, a single PowerBank-50 unit powered Cosmoserve Space’s experimental payload on the launch vehicle’s Orbital Adjustment Module (OAM) at an altitude of 450 km, performing exactly as designed through the violence of launch and the vacuum, radiation and temperature swings of space.

“Every satellite mission lives or dies by its power system, which is why nobody wants to be the first to fly a new battery. We are grateful that Cosmoserve trusted PowerBank-50 on a mission of this significance. Flying on the first private Indian rocket to reach orbit, and performing flawlessly at 450 km, is the strongest validation a product can earn. PowerBank-50 is now space proven, made in India, and ready for every satellite builder in the world,” said Ronak Kumar Samantray, Founder and CEO, TakeMe2Space.

Why “space proven” is the credential that matters

In the satellite industry, flight heritage is the hardest credential to earn and the first question every buyer asks. Satellite builders, launch providers and insurers are deeply reluctant to fly components that have never flown, because a single subsystem failure can end a multi crore mission. This creates a well known barrier for new suppliers: you cannot get heritage without flying, and you cannot fly without heritage. PowerBank-50 has now broken through that barrier.

The bar is highest of all for batteries. Batteries are among the most safety scrutinised components on any rocket, since they must survive intense launch vibration and shock, then operate reliably in vacuum through extreme hot and cold cycles every orbit. On this mission, PowerBank-50 validated its entire chain in the real environment: its high energy density lithium ion cells, its intelligent battery management system, its cell heaters and its aluminium flight enclosure. The product has moved from qualified on the ground to proven in orbit, the highest level of technology readiness.

For India’s fast growing small satellite ecosystem, this milestone means builders no longer need to depend on imported, long lead time battery packs to de-risk their missions. A flight proven power system is now designed, built and available off the shelf in India.

What this means for everyday life

Satellites quietly run much of daily life. The weather forecast before a farmer sows a crop, the maps that guide a delivery rider, cyclone warnings on the coast, television broadcasts and crop and water surveys all depend on satellites working around the clock. And every satellite has the same weakness: for a large part of every orbit it passes through Earth’s shadow, where its solar panels go dark. In those minutes, the battery alone keeps the satellite alive. If the battery fails, the satellite dies.

Until now, Indian satellite builders mostly had to import this critical component at high cost and long waiting times. A proven, affordable battery made in India lowers the cost of building satellites, which means more Indian startups, universities and students can put satellites in orbit. More satellites mean better forecasts, sharper disaster warnings, smarter farming and wider connectivity, built in India, for India and the world.

What is new about PowerBank-50

PowerBank-50 packs more than 50 Wh of energy storage into a unit the size of a paperback and the weight of a smartphone, at 380 grams. It uses cells with among the highest energy density available for small satellites, carries its own onboard intelligence that manages, balances and reports the health of the battery to operators on the ground, and keeps itself warm through the extreme cold of orbit. Packs can be stacked to power anything from a CubeSat to a microsatellite, with a mission life of up to 5 years in low Earth orbit.

Most importantly, it is available off the shelf today at ₹1,04,900, a fraction of the cost of comparable imported packs, so any satellite builder can now buy a flight proven, made in India power system without long import lead times. Full technical specifications are available on the product page.

About TakeMe2Space

TakeMe2Space is building next-generation orbital infrastructure focused on in-space computing,

data processing, and orbital data centers. Through its MOI constellation and space-based

computing platforms, the company is developing technologies that enable data to be processed,

analyzed, and distributed directly in orbit.

Media Contact:

Srishti Vatsa +91 98670 44794 srishti@moatglobal.com

Priya M +91 6363620273 priya@moatglobal.com

World’s First: U.S. Weather Agency Replaces Supercomputers with Google Cloud Infrastructure

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has officially selected Google Cloud as the backbone for its Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System (WCOSS), marking one of the world’s first operational weather centers to fully transition to cloud-based infrastructure. This move is expected to deliver faster, more precise forecasts and warnings for extreme weather events.

NOAA historically relied on its own massive supercomputers — like Dogwood and Cactus — to run weather and climate models, enabling high‑resolution forecasts, hurricane tracking, and climate studies before shifting operations to Google Cloud.

Dogwood and Cactus are two twin supercomputers located in Virginia and Arizona, each capable of 12.1 petaflops, tripling NOAA’s previous computing power. Together, the two supercomputers powered the Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System (WCOSS), running daily weather, ocean, and climate forecast models.

NOAA's replacement of supercomputers by Google Cloud represents a world-first transition from traditional HPC to cloud-based forecasting.

Key Highlights of the NOAA–Google Cloud Partnership

• Cloud-first transition: NOAA is moving away from on-premises supercomputers to Google Cloud’s high-performance computing (HPC) environment.
• H4D Virtual Machines: Powered by 5th Gen AMD EPYC processors, these VMs will run massive, tightly coupled atmospheric simulations in real time.
• Operational scope: Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System (WCOSS) includes daily weather, ocean, and climate forecast models, now supported by elastic, on-demand cloud computing.
• Timeline: NOAA will transition major systems like the Global Forecast System (GFS) and Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) to the cloud by December 2027.
• Scientific impact: Cloud HPC eliminates bottlenecks, enables rapid updates, and boosts resilience during peak demand (e.g., hurricane season).

Supercomputers vs Cloud Transition

Feature	NOAA Supercomputers (Dogwood/Cactus)	Google Cloud HPC
Capacity	Fixed at 12.1 petaflops each	Elastic scaling, on‑demand
Upgrades	Every 3–5 years	Continuous access to latest chips
Forecast detail	High resolution, but limited by hardware	Enhanced by real‑time scaling
Resilience	Downtime risk higher	Lower, resilient cloud
Research integration	Slower adoption	Faster, seamless integration

Benefits for Weather Forecasting

• Earlier and more precise warnings for extreme weather events, improving disaster preparedness.
• Elastic scaling: Computing power can instantly increase during storm seasons.
• Faster research-to-operations pipeline: Scientists can integrate new models without hardware delays.
• Resilience: Reduced downtime compared to traditional supercomputers.

Comparison: On-Prem vs Cloud HPC

Feature	On-Prem Supercomputers	Google Cloud HPC
Upgrade cycle	Every 3–5 years	Continuous access to latest chips
Scalability	Fixed capacity	Elastic, on-demand scaling
Downtime risk	Higher	Lower, resilient cloud
Forecast precision	Limited by hardware	Enhanced by real-time scaling
Research integration	Slower	Faster, seamless

Strategic Context

• NOAA has collaborated with Google since 2011, using Google Workspace and later Google DeepMind’s WeatherNext model, which successfully predicted hurricane landfalls days in advance.
• This partnership positions the U.S. as a global leader in cloud-based numerical weather prediction, strengthening its mission to protect life and property.

Risks & Considerations

• Dependence on a single provider: NOAA’s reliance on Google Cloud raises questions about vendor lock-in.
• Data sovereignty: Sensitive environmental data will reside in commercial cloud infrastructure.
• Cost management: Elastic scaling could lead to unpredictable expenses if not tightly controlled.

Cisco Retires Azure Local Bundles, No Direct Replacement Offered

Cisco has officially announced the End-of-Sale (October 24, 2026) and End-of-Life (January 24, 2027 last ship date) for its Compute and Azure Local Bundles, with no direct replacement offered. Customers are advised to explore alternative hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions with Cisco Compute.

Cisco quietly disclosed in its July 24 End‑of‑Life and End‑of‑Sale notice that it will stop selling Azure Local bundles in October. The company confirmed it will not provide a direct replacement, but urged customers to explore alternative HCI solutions built on Cisco Compute.

Cisco Compute and Azure Local Bundles are integrated hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions that combine Cisco UCS servers, networking, and Microsoft’s Azure Local operating system to deliver on‑premises cloud‑like environments with hybrid connectivity to Azure. They are now being retired, with no direct replacement.

Key Dates 

Milestone	Definition	Date
End-of-Life Announcement	Public release of EoL notice	July 24, 2026
End-of-Sale Date	Last day to order via Cisco	October 24, 2026
Last Ship Date	Final possible shipment	January 24, 2027

Affected Products

• UCS-MAH-B00R00-M6 — Microsoft Azure Stack MX HCI Bundle
• UCS-MAN-S71A2T0V0 — AzureStack HCI CTO Node C240 M7sn w/Mellanox
• UCS-MAN-S72A2T0V0 — AzureStack HCI CTO Node C220 M7sn w/Mellanox

👉 Cisco has stated no direct replacement exists for these bundles. Customers should evaluate alternative HCI solutions within Cisco Compute.

Why Cisco is Retiring Azure Local Bundles

• Microsoft hardware policy changes: Microsoft no longer supports “Validated Nodes” for Azure Local, requiring vendors to adopt Premier or Integrated Solutions. Cisco chose not to adapt.
• Strategic shift: Cisco has already exited its HyperFlex HCI line (2023) and now recommends Nutanix for customers needing HCI.
• Market positioning: Cisco remains a niche player in x86 servers and is focusing on Compute + networking integration rather than competing directly in sovereign cloud/HCI stacks.

Customer Options

• Cisco Takeback and Recycle Program: Helps businesses dispose of surplus hardware responsibly.
• Migration to Cisco Compute: Cisco encourages evaluation of other HCI solutions integrated with its Compute portfolio.
• Third-party HCI alternatives: Nutanix and other vendors remain viable options for enterprises needing hybrid cloud flexibility.

Risks & Considerations

• Support continuity: Customers with active contracts will continue to receive support until the EoL milestone.
• No direct replacement: Migration planning is essential; enterprises should avoid last-minute transitions.
• Microsoft dependency: Azure Local’s evolving requirements may limit flexibility for organizations tied to Cisco hardware.

Cisco Compute and Azure Local Bundles gave enterprises a consistent Azure environment across cloud and on‑premises, backed by Cisco’s hardware reliability and Microsoft’s software stack. Their retirement means customers must now plan migrations to either Cisco Compute alternatives or third‑party HCI vendors like Nutanix.

Google Launches Gemini Spark in India, The 24/7 AI Helper for Everyday Life

Google has officially launched Gemini Spark in India, a 24/7 personal AI agent for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Powered by Gemini 3.6 Flash, Spark works in the background to automate daily digital tasks across Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Calendar, giving users more time to focus on what matters.

Gemini Spark is now available to Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers, redefining the role of AI from a passive assistant into an active partner that takes care of real tasks—even while you sleep. Powered by the speed and efficiency of Gemini 3.6 Flash, Spark is built to manage time‑consuming digital chores under your guidance, freeing you to focus on what truly matters.

What is Gemini Spark?

• Always-on AI agent: Operates continuously, even when your laptop is closed or phone is locked.
• Native integration: Works seamlessly with Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Calendar.
• User control: You decide which apps it connects to and approve high-stakes actions (like sending emails or spending money).
• Powered by Gemini 3.6 Flash: Optimized for speed and multi-step workflows, enabling proactive automation.

Key Use Cases

• Travel planning: Automatically adds flight and hotel confirmations to a Google Sheet itinerary and finds local events for your trip.
• Weekend planning: Suggests local events every Friday, adds top picks directly to your calendar.
• Sports scheduling: Checks apps for court availability and alerts you based on weather forecasts.
• Wedding management: Organizes RSVPs, dietary restrictions, and drafts emails for caterers.
• Financial monitoring: Audits invoices, flags subscription price hikes, and drafts cancellation emails.
• Entrepreneurship: Scans inbox for customer inquiries, drafts tailored responses, and saves them for review.
• Professional productivity: Builds a personalized “ghostwriter” skill based on your email style guide.

How Spark Differs from Traditional Assistants

Feature	Traditional AI Assistant	Gemini Spark
Mode	Reactive (answers queries)	Proactive (executes tasks)
Operation	Works only when prompted	Runs 24/7 in background
Integration	Limited app connections	Deep integration with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar
Control	User asks for help	User sets rules, Spark acts automatically
Impact	Informational	Transactional & organizational

Risks & Considerations

• Privacy concerns: Continuous monitoring of emails and apps raises questions about data security.
• User oversight: Spark asks for confirmation before sensitive actions, but users must remain vigilant.
• Dependence on Google ecosystem: Full functionality requires Google Workspace and AI Pro/Ultra subscriptions.

Conclusion

Gemini Spark marks a major leap in AI assistants, shifting from reactive helpers to proactive agents that manage real-world tasks. For Indian subscribers, this means time-saving automation across personal, professional, and financial workflows, all under user control.

Freehand Raises $75M to Scale AI Teams Managing Supply Chain Spend for Fortune 500 Companies

• Freehand's AI Agents autonomously manage supply-chain spend for Meta, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Dunkin', Pfizer and Cardinal Health

Freehand, whose AI agents manage supply-chain spend for Fortune 500 enterprises, today announced $75 million in funding co-led by Battery Ventures and NewRoad Capital Partners, with participation from former U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker’s venture capital PSP Growth, Nexus Venture Partners and others.

American companies spend more than $20 trillion a year on the raw materials, logistics, data centers and services that power the U.S. economy, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. For decades, supply chain spend has been managed on legacy software and armies of outsourced labor. Freehand replaces this machinery with autonomous AI Teams that make decisions and take action to negotiate rates, enforce contracts, manage suppliers, process payments, and reconcile data within enterprise systems.

This financing round follows Freehand’s recent emergence from stealth with global deployments at Meta, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Dunkin' and Cardinal Health, as tariffs, taxes and immigration policies put increasing strain on the outsourcing model that has historically run global supply chains. Across early deployments, customers have recovered 5-10% of spend in complex categories, completed workflows 5–7x faster, and reduced procure-to-pay cycles by more than 70%. As a result, organizations are redeploying their employees to higher-value work while reducing traditional outsourcing and BPO contracts.

Freehand solves one problem exceptionally well: replacing the outsourced labor and legacy software used to audit and pay invoices across the supply chain. Its AI agents run the entire workflow - reading contracts, negotiating with suppliers, identifying leakage, processing payments and closing the loop with procurement - replacing outsourced teams and legacy tools that cost organizations tens of millions a year.

"Freehand marks one of the first full-scale agentic deployments at Unilever and is an early anchor in the shift from software that assists to software that runs our supply chain," said Matt Algar, Global VP of Supply Chain at Unilever.

"Enterprises spend $16 billion a year on supply chain software and another $348 billion hiring people to do what this software cannot," said Nitin Jayakrishnan, co-founder and CEO of Freehand. "We built Freehand to close that gap – with AI Agents that decide, act and take accountability for outcomes. This is the beginning of true autonomy in the enterprise." Nitin previously built Pando, an enterprise SaaS platform for logistics."

"The very nature of work is changing, with AI," said Abhijeet Manohar, co-founder of Freehand. "Shifting from building software for the user to building software that is the user meant we could drive far deeper transformation for our customers. The difference between an agent that acts and a chatbot that suggests is context."

Freehand's central IP is its Category Context Graph, which captures every decision, transaction and exception across a spend category. By unifying the unstructured data buried in documents and communication channels with the structured data in enterprise systems, it gives the agents the situational knowledge of a tenured supply-chain expert, along with an audit trail explaining every decision. Every AI agent Freehand deploys is built on and continuously enriches the graph, creating a compounding intelligence effect where each decision improves the accuracy, context autonomy of the next.

Abhishek Sharma, Partner, Nexus Venture Partners, said, “As an early investor, we’ve had a front-row seat to Nitin and Abhi’s evolution from freight software to AI Teams that run complex procurement, finance, and operations workflows for Fortune 500 companies. Freehand represents a fundamental shift, from software that assists people to autonomous teams that own outcomes, and is poised to reshape hundreds of billions of dollars in software and labor spend.”

"In Freehand we found an applied-AI company with a vertical wedge and tremendous customer love, proven at some of the world's largest companies where early signs of expansion were playing out," said Dharmesh Thakker, General Partner at Battery Ventures, who is joining Freehand's board. "Unlike co-pilots that simply answer questions, Freehand's Agents have enterprise context, make decisions, and take actions – this agency unlocks millions in savings for enterprises."

"What stood out to us about Freehand wasn't just the technology, but the measurable business outcomes customers were achieving," said Gregoire Lehmann, partner at NewRoad Capital Partners. "Freehand is delivering immediate ROI by helping enterprises reduce overpayments and operating costs, improve audit accuracy, and automate highly manual supply chain finance workflows. We believe the company is well positioned to become the category leader in AI-native supply chain spend management, and we're excited to leverage NewRoad's deep network of enterprises to help expand the company's enterprise footprint."

“America’s industrial competitiveness relies on how effectively our largest companies operate," said Penny Pritzker, Founder and Chairman of PSP Partners & PSP Growth. "Freehand is one of a few companies converting frontier AI into measurable productivity gains across enterprise supply chains, with rigor, scale and accountability.”

About Freehand

Freehand builds autonomous AI agents that run supply-chain spend for the world's largest enterprises — taking on procurement, supplier management, invoice and payment operations across complex categories such as logistics, direct materials and MRO. Built on Freehand's Category Context Graph, the agents reason across structured and unstructured data, understand contracts and policies, and execute decisions directly in collaboration tools and enterprise systems, delivering measurable savings and fully auditable outcomes without adding headcount or outsourcing contracts. Headquartered in San Francisco, Freehand is backed by Battery Ventures, Nexus Venture Partners, NewRoad Capital Partners and others. Learn more at https://www.freehand.ai.