Mumbai-based spacetech startup InspeCity has raised $5.6 million in seed funding to advance its ambitious plans for in-orbit satellite servicing and the eventual construction of space cities. The funding round was led by Speciale Invest, with participation from Antler India, Veda VC, Anicut Capital, and DeVC India.
Pioneering In-Orbit Servicing with VEDA
Founded in 2022 by IIT Bombay professor Arindrajit Chowdhury and his student Dr. Tausif Shaikh, InspeCity is developing the Vehicle for Life Extension and Deorbiting Activities (VEDA). This platform integrates technologies such as propulsion, robotics, and rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) to extend satellite lifespans and reduce space debris.
VEDA employs a proprietary robotic mechanism named Remotely Actuated Motorized Arm (RAMA) to autonomously dock with defunct satellites, enabling services like refueling, repositioning, and deorbiting.
Collaborating with Japan’s Orbital Lasers
In December 2024, InspeCity signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese startup Orbital Lasers to explore laser-based solutions for removing space debris. The collaboration aims to develop laser-equipped satellites capable of vaporizing targeted areas on debris to reduce rotational motion, simplifying removal or servicing.
Vision for Space Cities
Beyond satellite servicing, InspeCity envisions building the first city in a suitable orbit between Earth and the Moon. The company plans to develop space factories supporting a true in-space economy, eventually leading to the construction of orbital habitats capable of housing up to one million people.
InspeCity’s recent funding and collaborations highlight the growing momentum in India’s spacetech sector. With the Indian commercial spacetech market projected to reach $77 billion by 2030, startups like InspeCity are at the forefront of driving innovation and expanding the nation’s presence in the global space industry.
