Aule Space, an Indian startup, has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding to develop low-cost autonomous spacecraft for satellite life extension. The funding round, led by pi Ventures, will help the company deliver satellite servicing at significantly lower costs than established Western competitors by operating from India’s lower-cost engineering base.
The Technology
Aule Space is developing autonomous spacecraft—called “jetpacks”—designed to dock with satellites to extend their operational lives. Using AI-driven navigation and Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) technology, these units can service non-cooperative satellites that were not originally designed for such operations.
Once docked, the jetpacks maintain the host satellite’s orbital position, extending operational life by up to six years. This reduces replacement costs for operators while promoting space sustainability by limiting orbital debris accumulation.
The Cost Advantage
“To make the business case for life extension, cost is the biggest factor,” said Jay Panchal, co-founder and CEO of Aule Space.
Development Timeline
The pre-seed funding will expand the team and build ground infrastructure for RPOD testing. Aule Space is currently utilizing testing facilities previously used by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the SPADEX docking demonstration mission in 2025. The company plans to launch its first demonstration satellite in 2027.
The Indian New Space Context
The company has received a $90,000 grant from India’s IN-SPACe office, a government body promoting the country’s commercial space sector.
Aule Space represents the growing ecosystem of Indian space startups supported by government initiatives and increasing access to capital. Panchal, one of three co-founders, previously worked at Pixxel, an Indian hyperspectral imaging startup.
ISRO demonstrated cost-efficient space operations with its lunar landing program, achieved on a fraction of NASA’s budget. The Indian commercial space sector is now following a similar trajectory with government encouragement. Aule Space’s approach tests whether RPOD operations can be delivered at a fraction of the cost of established Western providers.
The success of this model could reshape the economics of satellite servicing globally.
Image Credit: Aule Space
References
Indian startup Aule Space enters satellite servicing market
AULE SPACE RAISES $2 MILLION IN FUNDING LED BY PI VENTURES TO BUILD SATELLITE LIFE-EXTENSION ‘JETPACKS’ https://aule.space/press
Aule Space Raises $2M to Build Life Extension Jet Packs