India’s space industry has reached another milestone with the inauguration of OrbitAID’s state-of-the-art research facility in Bengaluru. Opened by ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, the 6,500-square-foot lab is set to play a crucial role in developing next-generation on-orbit servicing technologies such as satellite refueling, docking, and life-extension systems. With space sustainability becoming a global priority, this facility marks a significant step toward reducing space debris and ensuring longer, more cost-efficient satellite missions.

High-Tech Satellite Servicing Lab

The newly launched OrbitAID lab is the largest commercial testbed for on-orbit servicing in India. Designed to replicate real in-space conditions, the facility includes:

Class 10,000 cleanroom for spacecraft hardware assembly

Advanced propellant-transfer lab for safe and precise fuel transfer experiments

Rendezvous Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD) testbed for autonomous docking simulations

Modern control room to oversee intricate satellite servicing tests

These capabilities allow engineers to carry out complex demonstrations of in-space docking, refueling, and repair operations, which are critical to extending the operational life of satellites.

OrbitAID’s SIDRP Technology

A key innovation driving OrbitAID’s mission is the Standard Interface for Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP). This proprietary docking system enables satellites to connect seamlessly with OrbitAID’s servicing spacecraft. SIDRP ensures universal compatibility, making it easier to service satellites from different manufacturers in orbit.

Building a Sustainable Space Ecosystem

One of OrbitAID’s main goals is to reduce space debris while lowering costs for satellite operators. By developing a network of tanker satellites that act as orbital “fuel stations,” OrbitAID envisions a future where satellites can refuel instead of being discarded after fuel exhaustion.

The company’s roadmap includes:

A manufacturing hub in Tamil Nadu for propellant-handling and servicing spacecraft production

Constellation of tanker satellites to provide in-space refueling and servicing

Collaborations with universities and international agencies to foster innovation and build a circular space economy

Industry Impact and Future Plans

OrbitAID, which secured $1.5 million in funding earlier this year, is one of the leading startups in India’s rapidly growing private space ecosystem. Its research facility not only strengthens India’s capabilities in on-orbit servicing but also positions the country as a key player in the global space sustainability movement.

With ISRO’s support and growing industry-academia partnerships, OrbitAID is expected to pave the way for advanced space operations, including in-orbit repairs, debris mitigation, and long-duration missions for communication, defense, and Earth observation satellites.

Conclusion

The inauguration of OrbitAID’s research facility by ISRO’s Chairman highlights the increasing importance of sustainable space operations. By enabling technologies like satellite refueling, docking, and servicing, OrbitAID is set to extend the life of satellites, reduce space debris, and cut operational costs for operators. With innovation at its core, this initiative marks a giant leap forward for India’s space sector and lays the foundation for a circular space economy.

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