IIT-Madras-incubated Inbound Aerospace aims to launch its first autonomous, reusable spacecraft by early 2028. The Chennai-based startup is raising up to $25 million in seed funding to support development and secure launch capacity. The company targets the high-value microgravity research market, focusing on industries like pharmaceuticals and material sciences.
Chennai-based Inbound Aerospace has unveiled its roadmap to conduct its first autonomous spacecraft mission in the first half of 2028. The startup, which is incubated at IIT-Madras, is currently in the process of raising between $11 million and $25 million in seed funding. This capital is intended to finalize technology development and secure a launch service contract for the upcoming mission.
The company is building a reusable upper-stage spacecraft designed for precision landings. To achieve this, Inbound Aerospace is utilizing steerable rectangular parachutes, similar to those used by professional skydivers, which allow the vehicle to land in specific, pre-designated sites rather than wide landing zones. The technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level 4. The company recently completed a successful 1-kilometer drop test and is planning further trials at higher altitudes of 3, 8, and 30 kilometers to prove the system's reliability.
In terms of commercial viability, Inbound Aerospace is focusing on the niche but growing market for microgravity research. This field allows pharmaceutical and material science companies to conduct experiments in space conditions that are not possible on Earth. The company estimates a revenue potential of approximately $3 million to $4 million per mission. Additionally, the firm plans to monetize its proprietary parachute technology separately, aiming to supply it to the defense and emergency response sectors, which provides a potential secondary revenue stream.
As the Indian private space sector matures, the competitive landscape is shifting. Companies such as Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos have already made significant strides in launch vehicle technology. Inbound Aerospace is currently exploring launch partnerships with established international players like SpaceX and domestic providers such as Skyroot. To manage the current lack of local landing infrastructure, the company has established an agreement with Australia’s Space Angel Group to utilize their facilities for spacecraft retrieval.
For those following the Indian space economy, the primary risks associated with this mission are standard for the aerospace industry: high research and development costs, long timelines, and the need for successful test execution. The transition from a prototype to a fully operational space-grade vehicle is complex. Investors and industry observers will track the company's ability to close its current funding round and the results of its upcoming altitude testing milestones as primary indicators of progress toward the 2028 launch target.