ISRO Opens Doors to Private Companies for Space Satellite Refueling Tech
Bengaluru got exciting news on Wednesday when ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan announced that the space agency will team up with private companies specializing in on-orbit servicing and refueling (OOSR) technologies. He shared this while kicking off India’s first OOSR-focused space-tech startup, OrbitAID Aerospace, and its brand-new R&D facility right here in the city.
This state-of-the-art setup covers 6,500 square feet and comes with an investment of over $2 million. The main goal? To offer refueling services that extend the life of existing and future satellites, making space missions more efficient and sustainable.
Dr. Narayanan congratulated the OrbitAID team and highlighted how crucial tech like docking and refueling interfaces are for India’s growing space ecosystem. "We’re opening up to private players, and in our upcoming missions, ISRO will invite OOSR experts to join hands," he said. This move shows ISRO’s push to boost India’s space sector with innovative private partnerships.
OrbitAID’s facility stands out as India’s largest commercial hub for rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) infrastructure—key for satellite servicing and refueling. It features a high-tech control room, a class 10,000 cleanroom to keep things spotless, and special fuel transfer setups for building and integrating satellites.
This launch marks a big win for India’s space sustainability efforts, especially after ISRO’s successful SPADeX mission in January. That mission made India the fourth country to master space docking technology, putting us on the global map for advanced space tech.
OrbitAID’s Founder and CEO, Sakthikumar Ramachandran, is thrilled. "This facility kicks off a new chapter for us in turning India into a global leader in space sustainability. With our TRL 7 docking and refueling interface called SIDRP, we’re ready to offer life extension services for satellites in Indian and international markets," he told reporters.
The startup, which secured early funding from Unicorn India Ventures this year, isn’t stopping here. They plan to expand to Tamil Nadu, setting up a manufacturing hub for propellant handling and satellite servicing. This will create India’s first private center for a circular economy in space tech, recycling resources and cutting waste.
OrbitAID also aims to team up with local universities, startups, and international partners to speed up growth. As India ramps up its space ambitions, innovations like these from OOSR and satellite refueling could transform how we explore and sustain our presence beyond Earth.
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