Ahmedabad-based Orbitt Space, a space-tech startup, has secured $1 million in pre-seed funding led by pi Ventures, with participation from IIMA Ventures. The funding will support the development of an air-breathing electric propulsion system and satellite bus platform for Ultra Low Earth Orbit (ULEO) missions.
The startup was founded in early 2025 by ex-ISRO engineers Christopher Parmar and Anupam Kumar. The new capital will be used to accelerate product development, expand the engineering team, and initiate prototype testing. “ULEO is the cleanest and most strategic orbit around Earth, yet it has remained inaccessible until now. “Our electric propulsion system will change that,” said Parmar.
Orbitt is working on enabling long-duration, fuel-free satellite operations below 250 km altitude using residual atmospheric gases as a propellant. The technology is designed to address challenges such as high atmospheric drag and limited fuel capacity that currently hinder sustainable operations in ULEO.
Satellites typically operate in low Earth orbit, which is increasingly crowded and poses a growing risk of collisions. ULEO, in contrast, offers natural deorbiting, enhanced imaging, lower signal latency, and radiation protection while also allowing the use of commercial electronics to cut costs.
According to Kumar, “This isn’t just about building electric propulsion and satellite platform technologies, it’s about reshaping how we access space.” Orbitt’s satellite bus is designed for multiple applications, including Earth observation, climate monitoring, and low-latency telecommunications.
While the concept of air-breathing electric propulsion is still under development globally, Orbitt aims to be among the first to commercialise it. In the next phase, the company plans in-orbit demonstrations followed by full platform deployment.
Orbitt Space aims to position itself as a key player in enabling sustainable satellite operations in previously untapped orbital zones, focusing on strategic, commercial, and scientific applications.
