Chennai-based OrbitAID Aerospace has secured a partnership under the Commonwealth-supported Indo-Australian Space MAITRI grant. Under the partnership, the startup will deploy India’s first in-orbit docking and refuelling interface, known as the Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port (SIDRP).
As part of the agreement, OrbitAID’s SIDRP system will be deployed aboard an international joint mission operated by Australia’s Space Machines Company, in 2026, the startup said.
This will be the first commercial deployment of an Indian-developed docking and refuelling technology in space.
The initiative aims to standardise satellite refuelling mechanisms that will extend spacecraft lifespans, and promote space sustainability.
OrbitAID will also lead the mission’s commercial ground fuelling campaign, linking Earth-based propellant logistics with in-orbit refuelling operations, and build a full propellant supply chain.
“By deploying our patented SIDRP technology and integrating ground fuelling with on-orbit refuelling, this partnership sets the stage for OrbitAID to transform satellite servicing and refuelling for both existing and upcoming missions,” said Sakthikumar Ramachandran, founder of OrbitAID.
OrbitAID recently inaugurated its commercial facilities for testing, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) systems in Bengaluru. The company is also developing a constellation of tanker satellites to act as orbital fuel stations by 2027.
The startup has raised a total of $2.04 million in funding over two rounds, with its latest funding round being a $1.5 million pre-seed round on January 15 that was led by Unicorn India Ventures, with participation from the Tamil Nadu government.
The SIDRP contract was signed at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney.
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As part of the agreement, OrbitAID’s SIDRP system will be deployed aboard an international joint mission operated by Australia’s Space Machines Company, in 2026, the startup said.
This will be the first commercial deployment of an Indian-developed docking and refuelling technology in space.
The initiative aims to standardise satellite refuelling mechanisms that will extend spacecraft lifespans, and promote space sustainability.
OrbitAID will also lead the mission’s commercial ground fuelling campaign, linking Earth-based propellant logistics with in-orbit refuelling operations, and build a full propellant supply chain.
“By deploying our patented SIDRP technology and integrating ground fuelling with on-orbit refuelling, this partnership sets the stage for OrbitAID to transform satellite servicing and refuelling for both existing and upcoming missions,” said Sakthikumar Ramachandran, founder of OrbitAID.
OrbitAID recently inaugurated its commercial facilities for testing, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) systems in Bengaluru. The company is also developing a constellation of tanker satellites to act as orbital fuel stations by 2027.
The startup has raised a total of $2.04 million in funding over two rounds, with its latest funding round being a $1.5 million pre-seed round on January 15 that was led by Unicorn India Ventures, with participation from the Tamil Nadu government.
The SIDRP contract was signed at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney.
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