Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Aule Space has raised $2 million (around ₹18 crore) in a pre-seed funding round led by pi Ventures.
The round also saw participation from angel investors including Eash Sundaram, Arvind Lakshmikumar, and others.
Aule Space plans to use the capital to expand its engineering team, set up ground infrastructure for docking tests, and speed up the development of its first demonstration satellites, which are expected to launch next year.
The startup has also been part of the Entrepreneurs First accelerator programme and is backed by the Transpose Platform.
Founded in 2024 by Jay Panchal, Nithyaa Giri, and Hrishit Tambi, Aule Space is working on solving a common challenge in space operations, satellites that stop functioning not because of hardware failure, but because they run out of fuel.
The company is developing autonomous “jetpack” satellites that can dock with ageing geostationary satellites in orbit and take over propulsion and station-keeping. This can extend a satellite’s operational life by up to six years and help operators avoid early retirement of high-value assets.
Since most existing satellites were not designed for servicing, Aule Space is building AI-powered RPOD (Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking) systems along with a satellite-agnostic docking mechanism that can attach safely to non-cooperative spacecraft.
Its upcoming in-orbit demonstration missions will validate this docking technology and support future commercial deployments. Over time, the company aims to build a robotic workforce in space for satellite life extension, inspection, and retirement missions.
Aule Space is targeting the geostationary satellite market, where assets are often retired early due to fuel limitations. The company is also exploring opportunities in space debris management and space security as part of its long-term roadmap.
