Inbound Aerospace is an innovative space technology startup originating from India, focused on developing advanced spacecraft platforms specifically designed to leverage the unique microgravity environment of space. Founded in 2025 and incubated at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), the company is pioneering reusable, autonomous re-entry vehicles that enable the cost-effective transport of in-orbit experiments and manufacturing payloads back to Earth. As reliance on the International Space Station (ISS) decreases with its planned retirement approaching in 2030, Inbound Aerospace’s solutions offer a critical infrastructure for future space manufacturing and scientific experimentation. This article explores ten compelling facets of Inbound Aerospace, shedding light on its origins, technological innovations, strategic significance, and future prospects.
Inbound Aerospace was officially incorporated in January 2025 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a product of the strong research and entrepreneurial ecosystem fostered by IIT Madras, one of India’s premier technical institutes. The company was founded by aerospace engineers and professionals including Aravind IB, Vishal Reddy, and retired Navy Captain Abhijit Bhutey. With a vision to transform how space is utilized for manufacturing and research, Inbound Aerospace aims to create autonomous spacecraft platforms that facilitate the transport of valuable payloads between Earth and orbit.
A central pillar of Inbound Aerospace’s mission is harnessing microgravity to develop revolutionary products impossible to manufacture on Earth. Microgravity conditions allow for novel crystal growth, advanced materials development, and precise biomedical experiments. The company’s spacecraft platform enables customers to send experiments and production payloads into orbit, where microgravity research and manufacturing can occur, before safely bringing them back to Earth for practical application.
Inbound Aerospace is developing autonomous, reusable re-entry spacecraft designed to transport experiments to and from low Earth orbit. Unlike traditional capsules which are often single-use and costly, these vehicles prioritize safety, cost efficiency, and rapid turnaround. This capability is significant in ensuring repeatable access to space for scientific experiments, thus accelerating innovation and reducing dependence on legacy space infrastructure such as the ISS.
The company’s offerings respond directly to the looming retirement of the International Space Station, scheduled around 2030. As ISS decommissions, there will be a critical gap in in-orbit research and manufacturing platforms. Inbound Aerospace’s technology is positioned to fill this gap by providing scalable and repeatable access to microgravity environments for academia, industry, and governments, ensuring continuity of space-based R&D and production efforts.
In early 2025, Inbound Aerospace successfully raised over $1 million in pre-seed funding, led by the venture capital firm Speciale Invest. The investment underscored the confidence of investors in the market potential for autonomous space transport and the company’s bold ambition in deep tech. The funding is directed towards the further development of their spacecraft platform’s autonomy, materials engineering, and system integration.
The leadership team is comprised of experienced aerospace engineers and specialists, with a PhD-level technical background from IIT Madras. Aravind IB, the co-founder and CEO, emphasizes translating disruptive aerospace technology into commercially viable products. The involvement of a retired navy captain among the founders adds expertise in disciplined operational management and logistics critical for space mission success.
Inbound Aerospace’s platform is designed not only for transportation but also to enable in-space manufacturing. This emerging field utilizes conditions in orbit to produce materials and devices with superior qualities to those made on Earth. By facilitating manufacturing in microgravity, the company opens avenues for breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and electronics industries, potentially revolutionizing several commercial sectors.
Based at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, Inbound Aerospace benefits from close proximity to cutting-edge research, academic mentorship, and a strong startup ecosystem. This integration supports innovation through access to intellectual property resources, academic-industry collaborations, and technical facilities, reinforcing the company’s deep tech ambitions.
Inbound Aerospace is part of a growing cohort of Indian startups leveraging indigenous talent to contribute to the country’s expanding space economy. By focusing on deep technology like autonomous spacecraft, the company enhances India’s position globally in space manufacturing and orbital transportation capabilities. Their innovation helps address unique challenges such as cost reduction and technological self-reliance.
Looking ahead, Inbound Aerospace aims to scale its re-entry vehicle technology to support a broad range of applications including commercial payload delivery, satellite servicing, and new space research platforms. With the rise of private and governmental interest in space manufacturing, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the next wave of growth in the global space economy. Continued funding, technology maturation, and strategic partnerships will be key to their trajectory.
Inbound Aerospace embodies the convergence of advanced aerospace engineering, entrepreneurial spirit, and emerging space commercialization trends. Its focus on microgravity-enabled manufacturing and autonomous reusable spacecraft represents a significant leap forward in space technology, particularly for the Indian space sector. As the world braces for the post-ISS era and greater reliance on private space infrastructure, Inbound Aerospace offers a visionary solution that could redefine how humanity leverages space for scientific and commercial gain. The company serves as a promising example of how innovative startups can lead in the rapidly evolving space economy, blending academic excellence with practical, scalable technology.