How Agnikul Cosmos & India's Spacetech Startups are Transforming Space Exploration
India is not only seeing a boom in startups that tackle the problems faced by the population, but we are also seeing startups that want to move the country towards the future of humanity ......
Spacetech Startups in India and Their Innovations
Space missions are notoriously expensive, and in a country like India, government investments in such projects often face significant pushback. However, with the government's support and initiatives, private spacetech startups have been encouraged to grow and innovate.
Inspired by the incredible achievements of ISRO, a new generation of spacetech startups has taken off in India. One such pioneer is the young Indian company, Agnikul Cosmos. Incorporated in Chennai just seven years ago in 2017, Agnikul has made a giant leap with the successful launch of "Agnibaan - SOrTeD, the world's first rocket powered by a fully 3D-printed engine!
India is not only seeing a boom in startups that tackle the problems faced by the population, but we are also seeing startups that want to move the country towards the future of humanity. Ambitious, innovative, and revolutionary are some of the words that can be used to describe these startups. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the innovative startups of India that are “aiming for the stars.”
The Innovations of Indian Space Tech Startups
1. Nano satellites:
Nanosatellites are miniature satellites weighing less than 10 kg that are not only versatile but also economical and better for the environment. In 2022, three nanosatellites developed by private startups were launched with the PSLV C54. These were the 'Anand' nano-satellites and Thybolt-1 and 2, developed by Dhruva Space (Hyderabad) and Pixxel (Bangalore) respectively. The satellites have various functions ranging from Earth observation (Thybolt) to high-resolution imaging (Anand).
Startups like Digantara (Bengaluru) are also creating ripples in the nanosatellite technology space. With more and more satellites launching, space junk is becoming a problem. Digantra’s focus on creating a sustainable space environment includes developing solutions for debris management and making space more accessible.
2. Launch Vehicles for Satellites:
Launch vehicles are an important part of any space related project. Several Indian spacetech companies focus on developing cost-effective and reliable alternatives for satellite deployment.
Recently, Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai startup developed a fully 3D-printed rocket engine which was launched successfully. Their technology enables rapid development cycles and customization, ideal for deploying small satellites. Skyroot Aerospace follows a similar path with their Vikram series rockets, specifically designed for cost-efficient orbital insertion. The successful maiden flight of Vikram-S in November 2023 reflects the capabilities of their technology.
Looking beyond single launches, Space Philic, a Kanpur based startup, is focusing on developing reusable launch vehicles and other sustainable space technology. Their innovations promise significant cost reductions by enabling multiple flights of the same rocket. Abyom adds another layer of innovation with their focus on electric propulsion systems for launch vehicles. This approach allows for cleaner and more efficient launches, reducing the environmental impact of space exploration.
3. Laser communication:
One cutting edge technology that is revolutionizing communication systems is laser communication. Instead of using traditional radio waves to transmit signals, special devices use laser beams to transmit data. The benefit? More data can be transferred in less time. Astrogate Labs is one of the key movers in this space and is laser-focused on making the technology more accessible and affordable.
Transferring data in space is unlikely to send a message on a messaging application. The harsh conditions up there along with countless rays from stellar bodies make data transmission extremely challenging. Astrogate Labs have different solutions for both space-to-space and space-to-ground links. Companies like Astrogate Labs, a Bangalore-based company, are not only changing the cutting edge spacetech, but their innovation can also trickle down to communication technology used for the general public which makes it useful in every aspect.
To get more information on the various spacetech startups of India like Agnikul cosmos, Astrogate Labs and Kawa Space visit the YNOS Startup platform. Simply enter the name of the startup you want to explore in the search bar and get key business information such as valuation, investors, funds raised and even their social media presence. You also get a list of similar startups to broaden your insights and streamline your search.
4. Geospatial intelligence:
Mapping the earth, analysing its physical features, and tracking various activities from space is not an easy task. It takes a lot of effort and resources to run a geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) company. But talented entrepreneurs all across the country are making innovative new technologies to make geospatial intelligence more accessible and prevalent. The application of GEOINT is boundless; from scientific research to economics and all the way to military use, every important sector of the country can benefit with the rise of GEOINT startups.
There are many companies that are currently exploring this field such as Bhusatyam, Satsure, Blue Sky Analytics, Kawa Space, Grey Night, Galaxeye, etc are some to name a few.
5. Space Living:
Innovative spacetech companies are moving with such high speed that one day people might be looking for properties not only in the country, but also in space! As outlandish and impossible it may sound, talented space entrepreneurs and investors are betting their money on space living to soon be a reality. With satellites and space stations designed to support a population. The idea is ambitious, but the seeds for seeing this massive tree grow has already been planted.
Inspecity is a Thane-based spacetech startup that is building upon the idea of making space real estate possible. But with the technological constraints of our time, they are starting out small and steady. The company was founded in 2022 and was incubated by Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE.) Currently the company is offering satellite servicing options and developing autonomous robotics platforms. Their aim is to make India’s first orbital habitat by the year 2030. The aim is ambitious, but ambitious aims is one of the prerequisites for spacetech startups.
Final Words
Other notable features of the indian spacetech startups is their focus on affordable space solutions (bellatrix aerospace) and also eco friendly fuel options (manastu space) for rockets and satellites, while many other startups are focusing more on reusability (abyom, space philic) and lowering down the cost of space travel and exploration. The current technology and investment in space startups does have some restrictions but it's the little steps that cover large distances, and for space innovation, larger distances are what matters.