Ex-ISRO Scientists Launch Orbitt Space to Develops Fuel-Free Satellite Tech for Ultra Low Earth Orbit with $1 Million Funding

In a bold step toward reshaping the future of satellite technology, two former ISRO scientists, Christopher Parmar and Anupam Kumar, have launched a space-tech startup named Orbitt Space, based in Ahmedabad. Founded in February 2025, the company has already made headlines by securing $1 million in pre-seed funding to develop an innovative propulsion system designed for Ultra Low Earth Orbit (ULEO) — a region of space that lies below 250 kilometers in altitude.

Unlike conventional satellite zones, ULEO remains largely unexplored due to intense atmospheric drag and fuel limitations, making sustained operations nearly impossible with traditional propulsion methods. Satellites in this region typically exhaust their fuel quickly, limiting mission life to just a few days or weeks. But Orbitt Space has a game-changing solution.

The startup is building a next-generation air-breathing electric propulsion system, a technology that draws in the residual gases present in the atmosphere at ULEO levels and uses them as a propellant. This system eliminates the need to carry bulky fuel tanks, enabling satellites to operate continuously for 5 to 7 years in this challenging environment — a feat that was once thought unattainable.

By using the orbit’s own resources to generate thrust, Orbitt’s approach not only extends mission duration but also addresses the growing problem of space debris. Unlike satellites in higher orbits that can remain floating as junk for decades, satellites in ULEO naturally deorbit due to atmospheric drag, ensuring they don’t become long-term clutter in space.

The benefits of operating in ULEO extend far beyond sustainability. Because of the lower altitude, satellites can capture sharper images and deliver data with faster response times, making them ideal for applications like real-time Earth observation, low-latency communication, climate monitoring, and national security surveillance. Moreover, since ULEO has much lower radiation levels compared to higher orbits, Orbitt's satellites can use commercial-grade electronics instead of expensive, radiation-hardened components — slashing costs and simplifying design.

While Low Earth Orbit (LEO), especially the 500–700 km range, has become increasingly congested with more than 40,000 tracked objects and millions of smaller debris fragments, ULEO remains a clean and open zone. Orbitt sees this as a “blue ocean” opportunity, offering safer, cheaper, and more efficient satellite operations in an underutilized part of space.

The $1 million raised — led by pi Ventures with support from IIMA Ventures — will be used to build a highly skilled team of 8 to 10 scientists and engineers, many of them expected to come from ISRO. The immediate focus is on developing a working prototype of the propulsion system and conducting environmental tests. The company has laid out a clear three-phase roadmap: first, building and validating the prototype on the ground; second, performing rigorous testing for space qualification; and third, launching their first operational satellite into ULEO by 2027 or 2028.

Orbitt’s proximity to IIM Ahmedabad gives it access to ISRO testing infrastructure, while discussions are already underway with major potential clients, including TATA Advanced Systems. The startup is also exploring partnerships through IN-SPACe, the Indian government’s initiative to foster private sector collaboration in the space domain.

Looking ahead, Orbitt Space envisions a major shift in the $13 billion satellite market, with many operations moving from LEO to ULEO due to the clear advantages in performance, cost, and sustainability. Their air-breathing propulsion technology could play a central role in this transition, offering a pathway to cleaner, more durable, and responsive satellites.

By harnessing their ISRO expertise and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in orbital mechanics, Orbitt Space is not just launching a new product — they are opening up an entirely new frontier in space exploration. Their innovation could place India at the forefront of next-generation satellite technology and set new standards for how we think about access to and sustainability in outer space.