The Venture Codex

Participated · Seed · Jan 2025

OrbitAID, founded in 2021, is an aerospace company focused on advancing sustainable space operations through on-orbit refuelling solutions and its SIDRP docking interface. The company aims to create a network of fuel stations positioned across various orbits to increase satellite lifespan and functionality while reducing space debris. Its core product, the Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP), is intended to improve accessibility and reliability of satellite refueling operations. OrbitAID raised $1.5M in pre-seed funding to support near-term technical milestones and scale the team. The company plans to use the funds to conduct an in-space demonstration of docking and refuelling operations, expand facilities for on-orbit servicing, and advance SIDRP to commercial readiness. OrbitAID Aerospace develops fuel-tanker satellites and an orbital fuel-station network to refuel satellites in orbit, aiming to extend satellite lifespans and reduce space debris. Founded in August 2021 by engineers Sakthikumar Ramachandran (CEO) and Nikhil Balasubramanian (COO), the company is based in Chennai. Its concept uses tanker satellites that rendezvous with customer satellites, refuel them multiple times, and can remain in orbit for 15–20 years before being returned to Earth. The longer-term plan calls for tanker satellites to be serviced by a main fuel station in orbit, creating a chain of refill points. OrbitAID is preparing a demonstration mission later this year—potentially using ISRO’s docking and refueling platform—initially sending its own satellite and a tanker to prove the technology. The company secured a ₹4.5 crore pre-seed funding from the Tamil Nadu government’s StartupTN and TANSIM and aims to begin commercial services by late 2026 or early 2027.