IN-SPACe picks Astrome, Azista and Dhruva Space for Rs 15 crore satellite bus development push

The agreement was signed formally on February 11

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on February 11 selected three startups, Astrome Technologies, Azista Industries and Dhruva Space, to develop indigenous small satellite bus platforms under its Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative.

Each company will receive a grant of Rs 5 crore to design and demonstrate modular and scalable satellite buses capable of hosting multiple payloads.

The contracts were signed on February 11, marking the formal start of implementation under the scheme.

The SBaaS programme was launched through an Announcement of Opportunity in April 2025, inviting proposals from Indian non-governmental entities.

IN-SPACe received 15 proposals by July 2025 and shortlisted the three firms after a multi-stage evaluation process.

IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said the initiative would help build a "globally competitive small satellite manufacturing ecosystem". He added that the effort would position India as a destination for end-to-end small satellite manufacturing, launch and hosted payload services.

Under the programme, IN-SPACe will provide milestone-linked funding and facilitate access to ISRO and IN-SPACe infrastructure, testing facilities and technical expertise.

In later phases, the agency plans to enable hosted payload missions on these platforms, allowing companies to move from development to operational services.

The move follows recent public-private partnership efforts by IN-SPACe, including Allied Orbits, an industry consortium of four space tech startups,  to set up an Earth observation constellation, aimed at strengthening India’s commercial space ecosystem.