India’s journey into space is getting a new boost, this time from private startups. While ISRO continues its important work, a wave of young companies is stepping up, bringing practical ideas and a strong push for innovation. These startups aren’t just building rockets and satellites; they’re making space technology relevant for everyday industries like farming, environmental monitoring, and communication.
This shift is happening because of a mix of things; more support from government policies and a growing understanding that space technology can help solve problems we face here on the Earth.
Indian startups are working to make space more affordable and easier to access, so that the benefits reach more people and businesses.
In this blog, we’ll look at some of India’s top space-tech startups that are quickly changing how we think about the role of space in our lives!
What are Space-Tech Startups?
Space-tech startups are young, innovative companies dedicated to building and commercializing technology for space exploration, utilization, or services that depend on space-based infrastructure. Unlike traditional aerospace giants or government space agencies, these startups are typically fast-moving, entrepreneurial, and focused on making space more accessible and useful for a wider audience.
List of Leading Space-Tech Startups in India
We’ve listed below (not in order) some of the most successful space-tech startups in India, that are revolutionising the industry-
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Skyroot Aerospace
Founded in 2018 by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, two former ISRO scientists, Skyroot Aerospace has emerged as a front-runner in India’s growing space-tech ecosystem. They boast of a team of over 350 members and a combined 2000+ years of experience in the rocket industry. Backed by USD 95.5 million in funding, Skyroot aims to make access to space more frequent and significantly more affordable, especially for small satellite missions.
The startup is best known for its Vikram series of launch vehicles; India’s first privately developed rockets. These rockets are built with cutting-edge innovations, including 3D-printed and lightweight engine components, to reduce both cost and time-to-launch.
Skyroot’s launch capabilities lie in the Vikram fleet, tailored for various payload and orbital needs-
- Vikram 8: Can carry 80 kg to 100 km altitude
- Vikram I: Capable of deploying up to 480 kg into a 500 km low-inclination orbit, or up to 290 kg into a 500 km sun-synchronous polar orbit (SSPO).
- Vikram II: Lifts 595 kg to 500 km Low Inclination Orbit and 400 kg to 500 km SSPO
- Vikram III: Handles up to 815 kg to 500 km Low Inclination Orbit and 560 kg to 500 km SSPO
Beyond building rockets, Skyroot also offers end-to-end launch services, managing everything from design and development to testing and finally liftoff.
With its eyes set on the future, Skyroot is working towards a whole new world, where space travel is as regular and seamless as air travel.
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Agnikul Cosmos
Founded in December 2017 at IIT Madras, Agnikul Cosmos represents a new generation of Indian space-tech companies. It was started by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, Satyanaryan Chakravarthy, and Janardhana Raju with a simple but ambitious goal: make space launches more flexible and available to a wider range of customers.
Agnikul’s flagship project, Agnibaan, is a two-stage rocket designed to deliver payloads of up to 100 kg into orbits reaching altitudes of 700 km. One thing that makes their approach unique is how customizable Agnibaan is. Thanks to a plug-and-play engine design, the rocket can be tailored for each mission, giving satellite operators more control over how, when, and where their payload goes to space.
The company uses 3D printing to build much of its rocket hardware, including their Agnilet engine. Printing the engine as a single piece helps reduce costs and cuts down on production time.
Agnikul also runs India’s first privately operated launchpad and mission control center in Sriharikota. Their launch platform, Dhanush, was utilized in May 2024 for the Agnibaan SOrTeD Mission-01.
With USD 34.5 million in funding Agnikul plans to start offering commercial launches, with a customer-first approach. Anyone can book a launch on their website.
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Pixxel
Pixxel, started in 2019 by Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, engineers from BITS Pilani, focuses on hyperspectral satellite imaging to monitor Earth’s surface in detail. The company builds and operates a growing constellation of compact satellites that collect data across hundreds of spectral bands, revealing information invisible to conventional satellites.
Pixxel’s technology captures data across a broad spectrum of wavelengths. This enables deeper material analysis and detection of subtle changes in vegetation, soil, water, and minerals that regular cameras often miss.
Moreover, Pixxel is steadily putting more satellites into orbit, with the aim of providing frequent, global observations.
Pixxel’s work has attracted attention from major organizations. The company has secured deals with NASA and the US government, who use its hyperspectral data for research, monitoring, and analytics.
Pixxel’s mission is to serve as a ‘health monitor for planet Earth’. The company sees its technology as a tool to support sustainability, enabling better-informed action in agriculture, environmental conservation, and industry.
Their satellites provide some of the highest commercially available hyperspectral image resolutions, functioning like a global diagnostic scan for the planet.
Pixxel’s Aurora, their in-house Earth Observation Studio, simplifies access to satellite data for a variety of users.
Most recently, Pixxel marked a milestone with the successful launch of three Firefly satellites aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission on January 14, 2025, further expanding their observation network.
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Bellatrix Aerospace
Founded in 2015 by Rohan M Ganapathy and Yashas Karanam in Bengaluru, Bellatrix Aerospace is a Series B company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of in-space transportation. Specializing in advanced propulsion systems and orbital mobility solutions, Bellatrix focuses on developing innovative technologies that help reduce the cost and environmental impact of satellite missions.
Bellatrix engineers and manufactures a range of propulsion products designed for satellites including:
- Electric Propulsion: The company develops electric thrusters, like the Hall Effect Thruster (HET) and the microwave plasma thruster (MPT), which are designed for efficient, long-duration space maneuvers.
- Green Propulsion: Bellatrix is developing greener propulsion systems. By offering alternatives like water-based or other environmentally responsible thrusters to the traditionally used, hazardous hydrazine propellants.
The startup is advancing technologies in orbital transfer vehicles, which are crucial for moving satellites between different orbits after launch. These vehicles enable multi-orbit missions using fewer launches, making satellite deployment and repositioning both flexible and cost-effective.
Beyond full propulsion units, Bellatrix offers modular components including tanks, valves, and thrusters that can be integrated into custom satellite configurations.
Bellatrix Aerospace offers a diverse product portfolio including-
- Arka: Electric propulsion system
- Rudra: Green propulsion solution
- Pushpak: In-space orbital mobility platform
- Fingernail: Range of nanosatellites
- Jal: Microwave plasma thruster
To extend its reach, Bellatrix has expanded to the U.S. market, establishing a subsidiary aimed at collaboration with international partners and customers for space mobility projects.
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Dhruva Space
Founded in November 2012 by Sanjay Nekkanti in Bengaluru, Dhruva Space is a homegrown space-tech company focused on making space more accessible, especially through small satellite solutions.
Dhruva Space designs and manufactures small satellites, including CubeSats and custom satellite platforms, tailored for a range of applications. They handle both civilian and defense needs, catering to everything from communications to earth observation.
The company works with multiple launch partners to get satellites into orbit quickly and efficiently. To keep satellites connected and operating smoothly, Dhruva Space provides ground station networks for tracking, data download, and control. Their “Ground Station as a Service” (GSaaS) offering means clients can tap into these networks without building their own infrastructure.
Dhruva Space’s integrated approach streamlines satellite deployment. Clients can rely on Dhruva for every step including design, assembly, launch and daily operations.
The satellites and support systems developed by Dhruva Space power a wide variety of applications, including:
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Communications
- Climate and environmental monitoring
- Earth observation
- Emergency response
- Interplanetary missions
- National security and defense
Dhruva Space’s solutions are developed and built in India, but their reach is global. The company’s list of collaborators includes names like Exseed Space, ams AG, Cisco, and KPMG, reflecting their growing reputation as a reliable partner in the international satellite ecosystem.
Afterword
India’s space-tech startups are showing that innovation doesn’t have to stop at the edge of our atmosphere. These companies are opening up new possibilities both in space and back on Earth. The journey is just getting started and it’s an exciting time to watch India reach for the stars!