Deep tech startup Aule Space has raised $2 million in a pre-seed funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from several angel investors, including Eash Sundaram, Arvind Lakshmikumar, and others. The startup has been part of the Entrepreneurs First accelerator programme and is also backed by the Transpose Platform.
According to the company, the fresh capital will be used to expand its engineering team, build ground infrastructure for docking tests, and accelerate the development of its first demonstration satellites. These satellites are planned for launch next year, the startup said in a press release.
Founded in 2024 by Jay Panchal, Nithyaa Giri, and Hrishit Tambi, Aule Space is a space technology startup focused on building satellites that can approach and attach to other satellites while in orbit. The company aims to extend the life of high-value satellites, enable close-range inspection of space assets, and safely retire non-functional satellites. This approach is intended to make space operations more sustainable and cost effective.
Aule Space is addressing the issue of satellite fuel scarcity through its autonomous jetpack satellite. The system can dock with existing GEO satellites, stay attached, and maintain the host satellite’s orbital position. This can extend the operational life of a satellite by up to 6 years.
The Bengaluru-based startup said its upcoming satellites will validate Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking, known as RPOD. This capability allows spacecraft to safely approach, manoeuvre near, and physically attach to other objects in orbit. Aule Space plans to develop a satellite-agnostic docking mechanism combined with AI-driven Guidance, Navigation and Control algorithms. The goal is to create lightweight and cost-efficient fleets of RPOD-enabled satellites.
The company plans to launch demonstration RPOD satellites next year to validate its docking technology and prepare for commercial deployment. Over the long term, Aule Space aims to build and operate a robotic workforce to support the growing space economy.
In India, similar startups include Orbitaid, which focuses on refuelling interfaces, Inspecity, which targets the LEO market, and Cosmoserve, which works on debris removal. Globally, Northrop Grumman has demonstrated non-cooperative docking with a legacy satellite, extending its life by 5 years at a cost of $13 million per year.
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