Ahmedabad-based Orbitt Space raises $1 million to build satellite systems
Orbitt Space, a promising space-tech startup founded by former ISRO scientists, has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by pi Ventures, with support from IIMA Ventures.The funding will push the company to revolutionise satellite operations in the largely untapped Ultra Low Earth Orbit (ULEO), below 250 km altitude.Founded in early 2025 by Christopher Parmar and Anupam Kumar, Orbitt Space is developing a breakthrough air-breathing electric propulsion system and an advanced satellite bus platform tailored for ULEO.advertisement
This orbital zone, while offering advantages like sharper imaging and lower signal latency, has remained out of reach due to high atmospheric drag and fuel limitations.The capital infusion will accelerate the design and development of Orbitt's proprietary propulsion technology and avionics, enable the recruitment of a world-class team, and fund rigorous prototype testing.The company's goal is to validate its technology and pave the way for sustainable, debris-free, long-duration satellite missions in ULEO.'ULEO is the cleanest and most strategic orbit around Earth, yet it has remained inaccessible until now. Our electric propulsion system will change that, enabling satellites to operate longer missions at low altitudes while delivering advanced imaging and data capabilities without contributing to orbital pollution,' said Christopher Parmar, Co-founder & CEO of Orbitt Space.Orbitt's propulsion system uniquely uses residual atmospheric gases as propellant, eliminating the need for onboard fuel—a game-changer for satellite longevity and sustainability. Combined with a high-agility, 200kg-class satellite bus, the platform is set to offer powerful solutions for earth observation, low-latency telecommunications, and climate monitoring.advertisement'For us, this isn't just about building electric propulsion and satellite platform technologies, it's about reshaping how we access space,' added Anupam Kumar, Co-founder & CTO.Orbitt Space is currently focused on building and qualifying its core systems, with in-orbit demonstrations and commercial rollout planned as next steps. The company's innovation could place India at the forefront of a new era in sustainable space infrastructure.
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