India’s space startups got a boost with OrbitAID’s new research facility in Bengaluru. The 6,500-square-foot lab will focus on developing technologies for on-orbit refueling and satellite servicing. The lab is equipped with high-tech testbeds and cleanrooms that help extend satellite lifespans and reduce space debris. These innovations will enable docking and fuel-transfer operations in space.
OrbitAID raised $1.5 million earlier this year. The startup has created a docking interface called the Standard Interface for Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP) to service satellites in orbit.
The new lab features cutting-edge technology for satellite rendezvous and docking tests. It is the largest commercial test site for on-orbit servicing in India. The facility includes a Class 10,000 cleanroom for spacecraft assembly, a propellant-transfer laboratory, and a testbed for autonomous docking experiments.
OrbitAID’s goal is to build a sustainable space infrastructure. The company plans to launch tanker satellites to act as “fuel stations” in space. These tankers will refuel satellites, allowing longer missions, lower operational costs, and less space debris. OrbitAID is also planning a satellite-servicing manufacturing hub in Tamil Nadu.
