On June 11, 2026, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) announced the selection of three space startups as the first beneficiaries of its Technology Adoption Fund (TAF). Chosen from a competitive pool after a rigorous multi-stage evaluation by an expert committee (including members from ISRO, DPIIT, and DST), these companies will receive milestone-linked funding to develop critical indigenous space technologies.
Astrobase Space Technologies (Bengaluru)
Project: High-Thrust Liquid Rocket Engine. Astrobase will develop an 800 kN closed-cycle liquid rocket engine using reusable LOX-LNG (Liquid Oxygen-Liquid Natural Gas) propulsion.
Significance: The engine features a modular architecture and high efficiency, designed specifically for medium-to-heavy lift launch vehicles.
Impact: This technology aims to provide a commercial propulsion solution for next-generation launch systems, reducing reliance on imported engines and lowering launch costs.
SatSure Analytics India (Bengaluru)
Project: Dhaarini – Large Earth Observation Model (LOM). SatSure is building India’s foundational AI platform for remote sensing, named Dhaarini.
Significance: The model is trained on diverse satellite and aerial datasets to generate actionable insights automatically.
Impact: It will support data-driven decision-making at a national scale in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure planning, and disaster management, enhancing India’s sovereign geospatial intelligence capabilities.
TM2SPACE Technologies (Hyderabad)
Project: Indigenous AI-Powered Star Tracker. TM2SPACE will develop a high-precision star tracker system essential for satellite orientation and navigation.
Significance: The project includes two variants: StarSense Lite for CubeSats and StarSense Pro for satellites over 50 kg.
Impact: By utilising advanced optics and onboard AI algorithms, this system enables the precise pointing accuracy required for high-resolution imaging and communication missions, filling a critical gap in satellite subsystems.
Technology Adoption Fund’s Objectives and Support Mechanism
The ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund is designed to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and commercial success.
Financial Support: The fund can cover up to 60% of project costs for startups/MSMEs (capped at ₹25 crore per project).
Mentorship: Beyond capital, IN-SPACe will provide continuous technical guidance and monitoring.
Disbursement: Funds will be released based on the achievement of specific technical milestones to ensure project viability
Support: Beyond capital, IN-SPACe provides continuous technical guidance and monitoring. Funds are released only upon the successful verification of predefined technical milestones, ensuring that the technology matures from prototype to market-ready product.
