Chennai-based space technology startup OrbitAID has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Unicorn India Ventures, with additional support from the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (TANSIM). The funding will accelerate the development and in-orbit demonstration of the company’s satellite servicing technology.

OrbitAID, founded in 2021 by Sakthikumar R, Nikhil Balasubramanian, and Mano Balaji K, specializes in sustainable space operations. Its flagship innovation, the Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP), is designed to extend the operational lifespan of satellites through on-orbit docking and refueling. The company recently conducted successful zero-gravity tests for SIDRP, validating its capabilities in docking, proximity operations, and refueling.

In the past year, OrbitAID achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 for its docking and refueling system and established partnerships to advance its technologies. The newly secured funding will be used to demonstrate SIDRP’s functionality in space, prepare it for commercial deployment, expand operational facilities, and grow the company’s team to support upcoming projects.

The company’s short-term goals include achieving TRL 6 for its refuelable propulsion system and securing commercial contracts for satellite refueling services. OrbitAID’s innovations target both commercial and defense sectors, addressing the increasing demand for cost-effective and sustainable satellite maintenance solutions.