Hyderabad Startup Cosmoserve Space to Launch Robotic Debris Capture Tech on Vikram-1

A Hyderabad-based space startup, Cosmoserve Space, is set to launch 'Mission Embrace', a soft robotic capture technology designed to clean up space junk, on the upcoming maiden orbital mission of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 rocket from Sriharikota. The technology aims to demonstrate the world’s first soft robotic capture system in orbit, offering a new solution to safely remove dead satellites and orbital debris.

Instead of using rigid claws or mechanical arms, the Hyderabad startup's technology uses a soft robotic mechanism designed to gently latch onto defunct satellites and drifting objects. The scale of space debris is a growing challenge, with tens of thousands of large tracked objects and millions of smaller fragments currently orbiting Earth.

The demonstration hardware was developed from concept to flight-ready status in just four months. Before receiving flight clearance, the technology underwent reviews by independent experts, including former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists.

Chiranjeevi Phanindra, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cosmoserve Space, stated that the mission represents India's first private orbital launch carrying satellite payloads while attempting a world-first demonstration of soft robotic capture.

According to Phanindra, the robotic petals flying on this mission are a scaled-down version of the company's original design. For this demonstration, the system will attempt to capture a 1 kg dummy target. The company's full-scale spacecraft is designed to eventually capture defunct satellites weighing up to 500 kg.

Cosmoserve Space is developing Active Debris Removal technology using a dual spacecraft architecture. The company claims its solution can perform debris removal missions at approximately one-tenth of the cost of comparable global technologies currently available.

The demonstration will ride aboard the Vikram-1 rocket, developed by Skyroot Aerospace. Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall private orbital launch vehicle featuring three solid propulsion stages and a liquid-fuel upper stage designed for precise orbital delivery.