InspeCity
InspeCity is a spacetech startup with bold plans in In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM). Its immediate focus is on satellite life-extension services – developing a fully integrated platform that can rendezvous with client satellites in orbit, dock with them, and perform servicing tasks like refueling or orbit corrections. InspeCity is building core technologies in-house: high-efficiency electric propulsion, robotic arms for capture, and precision navigation & docking systems. In 2022, it won iDEX defence innovation challenges for its work in orbital robotics. The long-term vision of InspeCity is even more ambitious – to enable “space real estate”, i.e., constructing orbital habitats by 2030, for which satellite servicing is the first step. By developing these capabilities, InspeCity positions India among the few countries pursuing on-orbit servicing (others being USA and Japan). In short, InspeCity aims to make space operations sustainable by extending satellite lifespans and reducing space debris, and eventually to build structures in space.
Vertically Integrated Life-Extension Spacecraft: InspeCity is developing a servicing satellite equipped with its own propulsion, robotics, and docking mechanisms. This spacecraft (conceptually akin to Northrop’s MEV but smaller) would launch and then rendezvous with aging satellites to dock and perform RPOD – Rendezvous and Proximity Operations and Docking. Once attached, it can fire its thrusters to correct the client satellite’s orbit or keep it in its operational slot (thus extending its life). The servicing vehicle carries extra fuel which can be transferred, and uses robotic arms for delicate maneuvers.
Propulsion Systems: As a byproduct, InspeCity is developing advanced electric propulsion (Hall thrusters) and possibly green chemical thrusters for use in its servicing craft. These could be spun off as products for satellite OEMs.
In-Orbit Assembly Tech: In parallel, some of InspeCity’s research (supported by Taiwan and Japanese space ecosystem partnerships) is on technologies to weld or assemble structures in micro-gravity. While not a service today, it aligns with their future plan to build large infrastructures (like modular space stations).
For now, InspeCity’s first service offering - expected by 2026 - will be life-extension of GEO comsats and removal of defunct satellites (as a debris mitigation service).
Meet the Team
Founders
InspeCity was founded by a team of IIT Bombay alumni and professors, notably Prof. Arindrajit Chowdhury (CEO), who was a faculty in aerospace engineering at IITB before taking industry leave to lead InspeCity. Co-founders include Dr. Tausif Malik and Pranay Ghosh, who worked on satellite docking for their PhDs. They were incubated at IIT Bombay’s SINE in 2022, where the idea took shape. The founding team blends academic pedigree (PhDs in propulsion and robotics from IIT/IISc) with entrepreneurial spirit.
