India’s space sector has taken a further step towards private participation with the selection of three start-ups to develop indigenous small satellite bus platforms under the Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative. Bengaluru-based Astrome Technologies, Hyderabad-based Azista Industries and Dhruva Space will develop and test modular satellite buses that can carry different customer payloads for hosted payload missions.
What the SBaaS Initiative Means
The SBaaS model provides a ready-to-use satellite bus to customers, along with related services. Instead of building the entire satellite platform, payload developers can use a standardised bus and focus on their mission equipment. This reduces development time, cost and technical barriers for new entrants.
Selection Process and Support
IN-SPACe launched the initiative through an announcement of opportunity in April 2025. Fifteen proposals were received by July 2025. After a multi-stage evaluation, three firms were chosen. Each selected company will receive a grant of ₹5 crore to support development and demonstration of a robust, modular and scalable small satellite bus.
Strategic Importance for India
The initiative is designed to strengthen India’s domestic satellite manufacturing ecosystem and expand hosted payload services. It also supports the broader goal of making India a preferred destination for end-to-end small satellite manufacturing, launch and payload hosting. The satellite buses are expected to serve domestic and global market needs.
Next Steps Under the Scheme
IN-SPACe will support the selected firms through milestone-linked grant disbursement and access to ISRO/Department of Space and IN-SPACe infrastructure, testing facilities and technical expertise. In later phases, hosted payload missions are expected on these platforms, further deepening public-private partnership-led space programmes.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026