An innovative air-breathing electric propulsion system for satellites operating in Ultra Low Earth Orbit (ULEO), a region below 250 kilometers altitude that has remained largely inaccessible due to high atmospheric drag and fuel constraints, has been developed by Orbitt Space, a space technology start-up based in Ahmedabad that was founded in February 2025 by former ISRO scientists Christopher Parmar and Anupam Kumar.
Because carrying enough onboard fuel to continue operations is unfeasible and significant atmospheric drag presents prohibitive challenges, this orbital region has remained mostly unexplored. By using leftover atmospheric gases as propellant, Orbitt’s technology solves these problems, doing away with the requirement for conventional fuel and allowing for long-duration satellite missions that last five to seven years in this previously unreachable environment.
Compared to traditional satellite systems, which use stored propellants that quickly run out in ULEO because of the high drag, the company’s propulsion system represents a substantial shift. By using the orbit itself as fuel, Orbitt’s method generates thrust straight from the surroundings and enables satellites to continue operating for long stretches of time without adding to space debris.
In addition to overcoming the drawbacks of existing propulsion techniques, this innovation offers significant performance benefits, such as improved imaging quality, lower signal latency, and significant cost savings by allowing the use of commercial-grade electronics rather than pricey radiation-hardened components.
With over 40,000 monitored objects and an estimated 1.2 million smaller debris particles, current Low Earth Orbit (LEO) activities between 500 and 700 kilometers are getting more crowded, hence Orbitt is aiming for a “blue ocean” commercial potential. The congestion has made it extremely difficult to maneuver and control satellites, increasing the potential of collisions for both new and current missions.
In addition to offering a less congested option, the company’s focus on ULEO offers a natural solution to the space debris issue because satellites in this region naturally deorbit due to atmospheric drag, self-regulating and resolving one of the most important sustainability issues facing the industry.
Pi Ventures and IIMA Ventures are leading the $1 million fundraising round, which will be strategically used to speed prototype development and environmental testing, as well as to assemble a core team of 8–10 scientists and engineers, with a primary focus on former ISRO talent.
According to the company’s roadmap, the first operational satellite with air-breathing electric propulsion will be launched by 2027–2028 after a three-phase development plan that includes prototype development and ground-based validation, stringent certification testing, and final launch. One of Orbitt’s main competitive advantages is its ISRO-honed proficiency in satellite system design and testing, which allows the business to satisfy the strict dependability and qualification requirements needed for extended space missions.
The technology developed by Orbitt has wide-ranging effects on the global satellite market. The business estimates that because of the system’s greater performance and cost advantages, the $13 billion LEO market could switch to ULEO. High-resolution Earth observation, low-latency communications, surveillance, climate monitoring, and national security missions are among the target uses. Orbitt is using its advantageous position at IIM Ahmedabad to gain access to ISRO testing facilities and establish collaborations with several ISRO centers through IN-SPACe. Early business talks are already in progress with payload partners, including well-known brands like TATA Advanced Systems.
By releasing the unrealized potential of ULEO, Orbitt Space is positioned to revolutionize satellite operations and provide a more sustainable, effective, and clean method of space infrastructure. With a solid base in ISRO’s exacting reliability requirements and their innovative propulsion technology, the firm is well-positioned to spearhead the next wave of satellite innovation and advance India’s strategic space capabilities internationally.
