Orbitt Space: Ex-ISRO Scientists’ Startup Raises $1M to Revolutionize Ultra Low Earth Orbit with Air-Breathing Propulsion

Orbitt Space: Ex-ISRO Scientists’ Startup Raises $1M to Revolutionize Ultra Low Earth Orbit with Air-Breathing Propulsion

Introduction

In a major boost to India’s fast-growing private space ecosystem, Orbitt Space, a startup founded by former ISRO scientists, has successfully raised $1 million in pre-seed funding. The Ahmedabad-based company is pioneering innovations in propulsion technology and satellite platforms, with a sharp focus on missions in Ultra Low Earth Orbit (ULEO). This development reflects the growing confidence in India's homegrown space entrepreneurs and the increasing investor interest in deep-tech ventures.

A Vision Rooted in ISRO Experience

Orbitt Space is the brainchild of Christopher Parmar and Anupam Kumar, both former scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Leveraging years of experience in space science and engineering, they identified a critical challenge in satellite deployment — the underutilization of ultra-low orbits. Their solution? A revolutionary air-breathing electric propulsion system that promises to transform how satellites function in the 200–250 km altitude range.

The idea for Orbitt Space was not conceived overnight. It was a product of years of research, ideation, and exposure to the bottlenecks within India’s public sector space programs. By stepping into the startup world, Parmar and Kumar aim to offer agile, innovative solutions that can be scaled globally.

What is Ultra Low Earth Orbit (ULEO)?

Ultra Low Earth Orbit refers to orbital altitudes typically below 250 km. Satellites in this range can capture ultra-high-resolution imagery and provide real-time communication with minimal latency. However, the primary challenge with ULEO missions lies in atmospheric drag, which causes satellites to lose altitude rapidly. Maintaining stable orbits in this region requires continuous propulsion — a costly and technically demanding task.

Orbitt Space is addressing this head-on by developing a propulsion system that uses ambient atmospheric molecules as fuel. This air-breathing propulsion model drastically reduces dependency on conventional fuel, increases mission lifespan, and significantly cuts operational costs.

The $1 Million Funding Milestone

The $1 million pre-seed round was led by Pi Ventures, a prominent Indian deep-tech-focused venture capital firm. The round also saw participation from IIMA Ventures, the startup incubation and funding arm associated with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

According to the founders, the funding will be utilized to:

• Scale up research and development
• Expand the core engineering team
• Develop functional prototypes
• Accelerate product testing and validation

The backing by reputed VC firms signals strong market confidence in Orbitt Space’s technological potential and its ability to compete globally.

Why Investors Are Betting on Spacetech

The global spacetech industry has witnessed a dramatic transformation over the last decade. What was once a domain strictly controlled by governments and defense institutions is now an open frontier for startups. Companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Planet Labs have shown the world that startups can innovate faster, cheaper, and smarter.

India is now catching up. With IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) promoting private participation in space, startups are being actively encouraged to build, launch, and operate space-based systems. The cost-effectiveness of Indian engineering and a strong academic pipeline make the country a fertile ground for spacetech innovation.

Investors are particularly excited about technologies like miniaturized satellites, reusable launch systems, interplanetary propulsion, and ULEO-based communications. Orbitt Space fits right into this vision with its cutting-edge approach.

Orbitt Space’s Core Technologies

Orbitt Space is not just another satellite company. Its product roadmap includes:

1. Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion System

At the heart of Orbitt’s innovation lies this next-gen propulsion tech. Instead of relying solely on onboard fuel, the system draws in molecules from the Earth’s atmosphere and uses them to generate thrust through ionization and electromagnetic acceleration.

This dramatically reduces fuel weight, lowers launch costs, and allows for long-duration missions in low orbits that were previously considered too volatile.

2. Modular Satellite Bus for ULEO

The company is also developing a satellite bus platform optimized for ultra-low Earth orbit missions. A satellite bus is the infrastructure that carries payloads like cameras, antennas, and sensors. By creating a modular, lightweight, and ULEO-optimized bus, Orbitt Space aims to provide satellite solutions that are affordable and flexible for multiple applications — from surveillance and mapping to climate monitoring and 5G relays.

3. End-to-End Mission Services

In addition to hardware, Orbitt Space is planning to offer a full-stack space mission service. This includes mission design, payload integration, launch coordination, and in-orbit operations. The goal is to reduce the entry barrier for smaller organizations and governments who want access to space but lack technical expertise.

The Ahmedabad Advantage

Orbitt Space is headquartered in Ahmedabad, a city that holds historical importance for India’s space program. It is home to ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), one of the oldest and most important research hubs in the country. Many ex-ISRO professionals and academic institutions are based here, giving Orbitt Space access to a unique talent pool, R&D infrastructure, and legacy knowledge.

This choice of location is both strategic and symbolic. As India's space industry decentralizes from Bengaluru, cities like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Pune are becoming new hotbeds for private spacetech innovation.

Strategic Roadmap and Vision

Orbitt Space has laid out an ambitious roadmap for the next three years. Here's what the company is aiming to achieve:

• 2025-2026: Complete prototype development and in-lab testing for the air-breathing propulsion system.
• 2026: Conduct first sub-orbital demonstration flight in partnership with a commercial launch provider.
• 2027: Launch first orbital satellite using proprietary technology in Ultra Low Earth Orbit.
• Beyond 2027: Begin commercial operations and scale globally.

Long-term, the startup envisions building and maintaining constellations of micro-satellites in ULEO, offering services across remote sensing, defense, agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring.

Challenges on the Horizon

While the excitement is palpable, the path ahead is not without hurdles. Developing propulsion systems that work in ULEO conditions is an extremely complex engineering challenge. Additionally, flight qualification, vacuum testing, and compliance with international space laws and debris mitigation policies are non-trivial tasks.

Another concern is space traffic management. As more startups enter the launch business, the risk of orbital collisions and space debris increases. Orbitt Space will need to build robust collision-avoidance and fail-safe mechanisms into its systems.

The company also faces the pressure of scaling quickly in an increasingly competitive global market. Giants like Rocket Lab and startup consortia in Europe and the U.S. are already eyeing similar tech domains.

Policy Support and Government Push

The Indian government has been actively working to liberalize the space sector. With the creation of IN-SPACe, private companies can now seek approvals, coordinate with ISRO for testing, and even use ISRO’s launch infrastructure. Additionally, the newly unveiled Indian Space Policy 2023 lays the groundwork for greater private participation, foreign direct investment, and IP protection.

Orbitt Space stands to benefit immensely from these reforms. Collaboration with ISRO and DRDO for technology transfer, access to testbeds, and joint missions could fast-track its growth trajectory.

India’s Rise in the Global Spacetech Arena

Orbitt Space is part of a broader movement. In the past five years, India has seen the rise of over 100 space-tech startups such as Skyroot Aerospace, Pixxel, Agnikul Cosmos, Dhruva Space, and Bellatrix Aerospace. These companies are working across the value chain — from launch vehicles and propulsion systems to satellite analytics and AI-based monitoring.

What makes India’s spacetech ecosystem unique is the intersection of low-cost engineering, deep academic research, and ISRO alumni-driven expertise. With global costs of launch and manufacturing dropping and satellite demand surging, Indian companies are poised to grab a significant share of the global market.

Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Future

Orbitt Space’s $1 million funding is more than just a business milestone — it's a symbol of India’s transformation from a state-controlled space power to a vibrant private ecosystem of innovators and entrepreneurs. With deep tech at its core, a strong ISRO lineage, and a mission to redefine ULEO accessibility, Orbitt Space is well on its way to becoming a global leader in next-generation space systems.

As the world watches India’s private spacetech industry mature, Orbitt Space is one of the startups to keep an eye on. The combination of vision, experience, and technology positions it not just for success, but for shaping the future of orbital science and satellite communication.

Thanks