Spacetech startup InspeCity has raised Rs 100 crore in a pre-Series A funding round as it prepares to qualify its technologies for flight and expand its commercial operations.
Founded in 2022, InspeCity develops technologies for satellite inspection and life extension, including satellite propulsion systems. With the fresh capital, the company plans to commercialise its in-space servicing architecture, initially focusing on extending satellite lifespans.
Over the next 12-18 months, InspeCity plans to conduct four in-orbit missions to advance flight qualification across several technologies. These include propulsion, sensing, autonomous operations, robotics, docking, and refuelling. At the same time, the company plans to scale its satellite propulsion systems business.
Speciale Invest and Ashish Kacholia led the latest funding round, while Antler and other investors also participated. The investment will help InspeCity move from individual technology demonstrations towards integrated in-space servicing missions and broader commercial deployment.
Prof. Arindrajit Chowdhury, founder and CEO of InspeCity, said, “We have built VEDA, or vehicle for life-extension and deorbiting activities, an autonomous architecture designed to extend satellite lifetimes and, in the future, enable more sophisticated orbital servicing. We are transitioning from proving technologies individually to qualifying an integrated architecture in space and putting it to work for customers.”
According to the company, VEDA represents its broader effort to establish an autonomous platform for satellite life extension and, eventually, more advanced orbital servicing operations. InspeCity plans to use its upcoming missions to demonstrate how the integrated architecture can operate in space.
Furthermore, InspeCity has entered into preliminary agreements with multiple customers and continues to engage with the government as it advances its commercial plans. The company has also received support from the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme.
With the latest funding, InspeCity aims to transition from technology development to commercial in-space servicing. The company will initially focus on satellite life extension before expanding into additional orbital servicing applications as its technology matures.
