How Aule Space is building a ‘jetpack’ to extend the lives of satellites
Bengaluru-based Aule Space is building a jetpack that docks with a satellites after they run that has run out of fuel, and extendings theirtheir livesfe by a few years.
Jay Panchal, co-founder and CEO of Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Aule Space, explains the company's mission to extend the operational life of privately-owned geostationary satellites. These satellites, worth over $100 billion, often run out of fuel and are retired, resulting in significant costs for launching new satellites.
Aule Space aims to build a "jetpack satellite" that docks with a retired satellite, provides propulsion using its own fuel, and allows it to continue operating for several more years. The company raised $2 million in a pre-seed funding round led by pi Ventures and has demonstrated its technology at ISRO's facilities, reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6.
Upon successful docking in orbit next year, they will reach TRL 9, indicating commercial readiness. Their goal is to extend satellite life by approximately five years and achieve this at a much lower cost of $20 million to $30 million, compared to previous missions that cost billions. Aule Space targets high-value communication satellites, specifically privately-owned geostationary ones, and aims to service around 20-25 such satellites annually.
The company's vision-based systems use cameras to understand the satellite's position and orientation, eliminating the need for expensive LiDARs or radars. Panchal emphasizes that Aule Space's approach differs from India's SpaDex mission, as their task involves docking with satellites lacking docking interfaces.
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