BENGALURU: Space regulator-cum-promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected three Indian space startups for the first round of funding under its Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) scheme, backing projects ranging from reusable rocket engines and AI-driven Earth observation (EO) tools to systems that help satellite positioning.The selected companies — Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies and SatSure Analytics India and Hyderabad-based TM2SPACE Technologies — emerged from a multi-stage evaluation process involving experts from Isro, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), DST, industry bodies, academic institutions and IN-SPACe.Astrobase Space will develop an 800 kN-class reusable liquid oxygen-liquid natural gas (LOX-LNG) closed-cycle rocket engine for future medium- and heavy-lift launch vehicles. The company said the modular propulsion system is intended to support next-generation commercial launch services and orbital missions.SatSure Analytics will build “Dhaarini”, a large EO model designed as an artificial intelligence platform for analysing satellite and aerial imagery. The platform is expected to generate insights for sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure planning and disaster management.TM2SPACE Technologies will develop indigenous AI-powered star trackers, critical systems that help satellites determine their orientation in space with high precision. The company plans to develop two variants: “StarSense Lite” for CubeSats and “StarSense Pro” for satellites weighing more than 50 kg.“The selection marks a pivotal step in our mission to transform Indian private entities into global space leaders,” IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said. He added that the fund aims to bridge the gap between early-stage development and commercial success by supporting market-ready technologies.IN-SPACe director (technical) Rajeev Jyoti said the projects address critical technology gaps and have the potential to strengthen India’s space capabilities. As per IN-SPACe the TAF scheme is designed to help Indian companies absorb, adapt and commercialise advanced space technologies through financial assistance, technical guidance and milestone-linked funding support.TAF has been instituted with a total funding of Rs 500 crore. Wherein, partial funding will be offered to work towards transforming early-stage technologies into commercially viable product. The funding would be up to 60% of the project cost for startups/MSMEs and 40% for large industries. However, the maximum funding which can be offered for a project will be capped at Rs 25 crore.Any intellectual property developed under this scheme will be owned by the company. However, any licensing of the IP will require prior approval of IN-SPACe.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Extends Tax Benefits For Ethanol-Blended Petrol Amid Energy Market UncertaintyIndia Protests Attack On Vessel Carrying Indian Crew Amid Trump’s Defence Of US StrikesFirst Indigenous C-295 Aircraft Successfully Completes Maiden Flight At Tata-Airbus FacilityCyber Fraud Crackdown: Gujarat Police Expose 105 Mule Accounts Under Operation Mule Hunt 2.0Manipur Tensions Rise After Bodies Of Six Abducted Naga Hostages Recovered In KangpokpiTamil Nadu CM Vijay Holds Talks With Congress Top Brass In Delhi Amid New Political SpeculationPM Modi Marks Historic Tenure, Credits NDA’s 12-Year Journey For India’s TransformationMEA Condemns Oman Ship Attack As 21 Indians Rescued, Three Crew Members Still MissingAt NDA Conclave, PM Modi Contrasts Congress Era With ‘NDA’s Development Record’ | WatchYusuf Pathan, Shatrughan Sinha, Sayoni Ghosh Among 19 MPs In Rebel Camp | Watch123PhotostoriesFrench love proverb of the day: “The pleasure of love lasts only a moment, the pain of love lasts…”Do you want to become rich? try these remedies based on your birthTop 8 premium residential societies driving luxury living in Noida7 things you must do in your garden in order to attract garden birds9 food habits of soldiers during World War I5 medicinal herbs you can grow in balcony10 baby boy names that symbolise limitlessness5 new sneakers releasing this June that are worth the hypeExclusive – Rubina Dilaik recalls hiding her pregnancy during a Punjabi film shoot, talks about mom guilt and motherhood; says, ‘My nose would start bleeding on set due to the extreme heat’6 subtle habits that make people lose respect for you, as per psychologist123Hot PicksOpendoor IndiaNitish Kumar SonForm 26ASIND vs AFG Live ScoreDelhi weatherGuru Randhawa gym firingTMC rebel MP listKerala Plus One ResultTS Inter Supply Result 2026Top TrendingHaryana Gym Owner MurderGuru Randhawa Gym FiringGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireMP Prakash Chik Baraik ResignationMeerut Conversion CaseCBSE Class 10 Second Board ResultBengaluru Child DeathKarnataka Murder
BENGALURU: Space regulator-cum-promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected three Indian space startups for the first round of funding under its Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) scheme, backing projects ranging from reusable rocket engines and AI-driven Earth observation (EO) tools to systems that help satellite positioning.The selected companies — Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies and SatSure Analytics India and Hyderabad-based TM2SPACE Technologies — emerged from a multi-stage evaluation process involving experts from Isro, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), DST, industry bodies, academic institutions and IN-SPACe.Astrobase Space will develop an 800 kN-class reusable liquid oxygen-liquid natural gas (LOX-LNG) closed-cycle rocket engine for future medium- and heavy-lift launch vehicles. The company said the modular propulsion system is intended to support next-generation commercial launch services and orbital missions.SatSure Analytics will build “Dhaarini”, a large EO model designed as an artificial intelligence platform for analysing satellite and aerial imagery. The platform is expected to generate insights for sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure planning and disaster management.TM2SPACE Technologies will develop indigenous AI-powered star trackers, critical systems that help satellites determine their orientation in space with high precision. The company plans to develop two variants: “StarSense Lite” for CubeSats and “StarSense Pro” for satellites weighing more than 50 kg.“The selection marks a pivotal step in our mission to transform Indian private entities into global space leaders,” IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said. He added that the fund aims to bridge the gap between early-stage development and commercial success by supporting market-ready technologies.IN-SPACe director (technical) Rajeev Jyoti said the projects address critical technology gaps and have the potential to strengthen India’s space capabilities. As per IN-SPACe the TAF scheme is designed to help Indian companies absorb, adapt and commercialise advanced space technologies through financial assistance, technical guidance and milestone-linked funding support.TAF has been instituted with a total funding of Rs 500 crore. Wherein, partial funding will be offered to work towards transforming early-stage technologies into commercially viable product. The funding would be up to 60% of the project cost for startups/MSMEs and 40% for large industries. However, the maximum funding which can be offered for a project will be capped at Rs 25 crore.Any intellectual property developed under this scheme will be owned by the company. However, any licensing of the IP will require prior approval of IN-SPACe.
