Orbitt Space Raises $1M Funding Led By pi Ventures To Pioneer Electric Propulsion For ULEO Satellites

Orbitt Space, an Ahmedabad-based space-tech startup, has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from IIMA Ventures. 

Orbitt Space is building an air-breathing electric propulsion system and next-gen satellite bus platform designed for ultra-low Earth orbit below 250 km altitude—a zone that remains untapped due to high atmospheric drag and fuel constraints. 

The capital raised will be deployed to accelerate the design and development of the electric propulsion technology and avionics systems, to build a core team of scientists and engineers, and to begin rigorous testing of its first prototype with the aim to validate the technology, according to the startup.

Currently, satellites primarily operate in low Earth orbit, which is rapidly becoming congested and hazardous, with over 40,000 tracked objects and an estimated 1.2 million smaller debris fragments that can trigger collisions. 

With the natural deorbiting of satellites post-mission, ULEO presents a self-regulating solution to space debris. It also delivers advantages such as sharper imaging, reduced signal latency and radiation protection that allows the use of cost-effective commercial electronics, thereby reducing upfront capex.

To tap into ULEO’s potential, Orbitt is developing a technology that enables satellites to operate sustainably for 5–7 years, even in high-drag environments. Their electric propulsion system uses residual atmospheric gases as propellant, eliminating the need for onboard fuel. Paired with a high-agility, 200kg-class satellite bus, Orbitt will deliver a solution for earth observation, low latency telecommunications, climate monitoring, surveillance, and scientific missions.

While the potential of this technology is recognised, it is still in the R&D stages globally and has not yet been commercialised at scale. Orbitt aims to be one of the first companies to launch a ULEO satellite powered by propulsion technology. 

The startup was founded in early 2025 by Christopher Parmar and Anupam Kumar, who bring ISRO-honed capabilities in designing and developing satellite systems.

Orbitt Space is currently in the development phase focused on building and qualifying its core propulsion and avionics systems. The next phase will involve in-orbit demonstrations to validate performance, followed by the commercial rollout of ULEO satellite platform.

Parmar, co-founder and CEO of Orbitt Space, said, “ULEO is the cleanest and most strategic orbit around Earth, yet it has remained inaccessible until now. Our electric propulsion system will change that, enabling satellites to operate longer missions at low altitudes while delivering advanced imaging and data capabilities without contributing to orbital pollution.”