BY Anindita Nayak
Bhubaneswar, 6 May
Indian spacetech startups are revolutionizing the space sector. These startups are operating in various segments of the space sector including developing propulsion, power supply technologies, and many more. This new generation of startups is working on both deeptech and utility apps, reshaping India’s spacetech landscape. Advancements in remote-sensing technologies and satellite data optimization, coupled with indigenous satellite and launch vehicle development, position Indian startups to capture a larger share of the global space market. No wonder, over 150 startups have secured funding of over $285 million in recent years.
We curate five leading spacetech startups in India, which are doing pioneering work in the sector.
- PIXXEL
Pixxel is a private space technology firm located in Bengaluru (India), specializing in satellite-based Earth imaging solutions. It was founded in 2019 by Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, who set up the venture during their BITS Pilani days. They deploy high-resolution earth observation micro-satellites equipped with hyperspectral sensors into sun-synchronous orbits, gathering diverse wavelength data for monitoring crop health, deforestation, and water quality. Their services cater to industries like agriculture, oil, gas, and climate monitoring, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making.
It launched its first hyperspectral imaging satellite ‘Shakuntala’, transmitting data on climate change assessments, deforestation, ice cap melting, gas leaks, and crop health. With over $36 million funding from investors like Google, they developed a user-friendly platform for data visualization and analysis. Pixxel secured a five-year contract with the US NRO and collaborated with ISRO, NASA JPL, and SpaceX. Backed by Lightspeed, Accenture, and others, they have raised a total of $71 million in venture funding. They aim to develop small satellites for various purposes, including electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral imaging.
- SKYROOT AEROSPACE
Skyroot Aerospace, founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers and scientists, is an Indian aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider based in Hyderabad (India). Their mission is to make space accessible by developing affordable and reliable launch vehicles for small satellites.
It has successfully test-fired the stage-2 of Vikram-1 space launch vehicle, called Kalam-250, at the propulsion testbed of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. This will be used to launch satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). Additionally, they’ve developed a cryogenic engine, which is currently undergoing testing. The company has raised $99.8 million in funding and aims to open up space for all.
- DHRUVA SPACE
Dhruva Space Private Ltd is an Indian private aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was founded in 2012 by Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti. The company specializes in application-agnostic small satellite platforms. They offer full-stack space engineering solutions, including ground station solutions, satellite launch and development, and space-grade solar arrays for microsatellites. Their satellite platforms range from CubeSats to larger microsatellites, designed to be modular and adaptable.
The company successfully launched its P-30 nanosatellite platform as part of the LEAP – Technology Demonstrator payload onboard ISRO’s PSLV-C58 POEM-3 mission, validating its platform and subsystems in orbit. Their next mission, LEAP-1, will validate the satellite imagery payload of an Australian customer onboard PSLV-C59. Dhruva Space aims to provide end-to-end space solutions for commercial, governmental, and academic markets, focusing on building, launching, and operating satellites.
- AGNIKUL COSMOS
Chennai-headquartered Agnikul Cosmos is an Indian private space launch vehicle startup founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran and Moin SPM. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing launch vehicles for nano and microsatellites, with a focus on operability in low and high earth orbits using kerosene-powered engines. They offer 3D-printed cooling systems, multiple launch ports, payload integration, and injectors. Their flagship rocket, Agnibaan, is a three-stage rocket capable of carrying up to 100kg payload in a 700km low Earth orbit. Agnikul Cosmos achieved several milestones, including India’s first private launchpad launch, India’s first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch, and the world’s first single-piece 3D printed engine designed and built indigenously. They signed an agreement with ISRO under the IN-SPACe initiative for collaboration and access to expertise and facilities in December 2020. It has raised $26.7 million in Series B funding.
- BELLATRIX AEROSPACE
Bellatrix Aerospace is a new-age space mobility company based in Bangalore, India, specializing in advanced propulsion technologies for various space missions. They are developing the Chetak small satellite launch vehicle for deploying satellites into low earth orbit. Their notable achievements include the development of India’s first high-performance green propulsion system which had earlier won an order from ISRO for developing the world’s first commercial microwave plasma thruster which uses water as its fuel. It has completed ground tests for these thrusters in line with ISRO and ESA standards. With $11.3 million in funding, they signed a contract to establish a $76 million factory in Bangalore focused on environment-friendly propulsion technologies. Additionally, they are preparing to test their hall-effect thruster in space through an agreement with a European company for integration into a satellite launch.
