CHENNAI: In a landmark moment for both regional entrepreneurship and India’s space ambitions, Tamil Nadu-based startup OrbitAID Aerospace is poised to launch its first satellite, AayulSAT, aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission. The rocket is scheduled for liftoff from Sriharikota on January 12.
This milestone is powered by crucial backing from the Tamil Nadu government. OrbitAID Aerospace received substantial pre-seed funding of $540,000 (approximately Rs 4.86 crore) in 2024 through state initiatives like StartupTN and TANSIM. This support highlights the state's active role in nurturing high-tech innovation and enabling local startups to reach for the stars.
The satellite itself, named ‘AayulSAT’ (meaning ‘Life’ in Tamil), carries a mission of longevity. Weighing 25 kg, it is designed to demonstrate pioneering in-orbit refuelling and satellite life-extension technologies. It will operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit, 600-800 km above Earth, serving as a critical test bed for future "space fuel stations." Such orbital propellant depots are a transformative concept, aiming to store fuel in space to refuel satellites and spacecraft. This capability can dramatically extend mission durations, reduce space debris, and promote more sustainable space operations.
Globally, companies like the US's Orbit Fab are exploring similar "gas station" technologies, but the field remains in early stages. OrbitAID’s mission is therefore strategically significant, positioning India at the forefront of this emerging global infrastructure. By proving capabilities in on-orbit servicing, AayulSAT aims to reduce the need for replacement launches and strengthen India's position in the new space economy.
The driving force behind OrbitAID is founder Sakthikumar R, an aerospace engineer from Vadakkalur village in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur district. His journey from a rural background with limited scientific resources to the forefront of space technology is inspiring.
He pursued Aeronautical Engineering, followed by a Master’s in Space Engineering and Rocketry, and later contributed as a Project Associate at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
With over 14 years of experience involving work with ISRO, GTRE, and major aerospace firms, numerous research papers, and multiple patents, Sakthikumar has built a formidable technical foundation for OrbitAID.
Complementing this effort, Mumbai-based startup Manastu Space is contributing green propellants for the mission.
From its roots in Tamil Nadu’s supportive startup ecosystem to a historic ride on an ISRO rocket, OrbitAID Aerospace embodies a new era where state-backed local innovation is set to make a global impact in the final frontier.