ISRO Chief Inaugurates OrbitAID Aerospace, Largest Space R&D Hub

In a significant move for India's expanding space technology industry, OrbitAID Aerospace has opened a cutting-edge R&D facility in Bengaluru.

Covering 6,500 square feet and costing over $2 million, the centre was opened by ISRO's Chairman V Narayanan, highlighting its significance in the future of India's space ecosystem.

It is touted as India's largest even among a few of the biggest, Rendezvous Proximity Operations & Docking (RPOD) spaces in the world, which will aim to facilitate advances in On-Orbit Servicing and refueling (OOSR). The facility is equipped with a control room, advanced fuel transfer systems, and a Class 10,000 clean room and will be used to support satellite life extension and servicing missions.

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Commending the OrbitAID team, Narayanan stated the intent to foster robust docking and refueling and emphasized that ISRO is interested in working with private players to develop future OOSR missions.

As stated by Sakthikumar Ramachandran, Founder and CEO of OrbitAID, the new facility, joined with the patented SIDRP interface gives it a global position in satellite servicing. The startup, that received early funding from Unicorn India Ventures, also announced plans to set up another facility in Tamil Nadu for manufacturing and propellant handling.

The launch event drew considerable international attention from consuls of Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, along with defence dignitaries, ISRO representatives, and university dignitaries, indicating the global relevance of privately funded space-tech missions in India.