Startups chart new course in space

Indian companies make a mark in downstream sector that uses space data for practical applications, reports SHINE JACOB

- SHINE JACOB

A fuel station in space seems like science fiction, but if startup OrbitAID's plans work out, India may find a solution to extend the lifespan of satellites. The company will, by April 2025, hold a trial run for its target of launching its first fuel tanker satellite by 2026, marking a milestone in India's space sector. The tanker will extend the operational life of satellites by refueling them multiple times.

OrbitAID, which is based in the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and supported by the Tamil Nadu government, is among a clutch of private companies that are changing the country's downstream space sector. Of the world's $470 billion space economy, downstream comprises 80-90 percent. Its segments include Earth observation, satellite communication (satcom), positioning, navigation and timing, and strategic defense applications. Downstream comprises applications, services, and devices that rely on satellites to create business value. The upstream segment refers to activities, products, and infrastructure for the development, testing, launching, and monitoring of space assets.

"The upstream sector contributes to around 10 percent of the total space economy, while the downstream contributes to the rest," said A K Bhatt, director general of the Indian Space Association (ISPA), which represents space and satellite companies.

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