Dr. Chiranjeevi, formerly ISRO’s Deputy Project Director for the Gaganyaan mission and Head of Anthropometry, Biomechanics, and Human Performance, shares how a pivotal realization at the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee inspired him to found Cosmoserve Space in Hyderabad. The startup’s breakthrough Venus flytrap-inspired soft robotic arms enable capture of any space debris without needing magnetic plates or docking points addressing critical gaps in current solutions amid a space economy projected to hit $1.8 trillion by 2035.
Fresh off a $3.17 million pre-seed raise, Cosmoserve plans a full-scale ground demo soon and an in-space demonstration by Q4 2026, positioning itself to lead the $5.9 billion active debris removal market while leveraging India’s engineering talent.
Dr. Chiranjeevi, you spent significant time at ISRO, serving as Deputy Project Director for India’s prestigious Gaganyaan mission and later as Head of Anthropometry, Biomechanics and Human Performance Division. What was the pivotal moment that made you transition from being part of one of the world’s leading space agencies to starting Cosmoserve Space?
During my tenure as Deputy Project Director of the Gaganyaan programme, I had the privilege of representing India at the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), a global forum that provides technical and regulatory guidelines to the United Nations. It was there that I truly understood the severity of the space debris problem and the critical gaps in existing mitigation technologies. After extensive brainstorming with a friend, I realised we were on the cusp of something revolutionary. This conviction led me to found Cosmoserve Space.
Space debris is a growing concern for the global space industry. How does Cosmoserve’s autonomous robotic spacecraft technology uniquely address the challenges of space debris removal?
Existing space debris removal solutions require the target satellite to have either a magnetic plate or a dedicated hard docking point. Our breakthrough technology is inspired by nature — specifically the Venus flytrap. Just as the plant’s lobes snap shut when an insect enters, our bio-mimicked soft robotic arms use highly flexible,high-degree-of-freedom mechanisms to gently envelop and securely capture any object in space — regardless of whether it has a magnetic interface or a rigid holding point. This unique capability enables Cosmoserve to capture literally anything:defunct satellites, or even small fragmented debris.
Congratulations on your recent $3.17 million pre-seed raise;one of the largest at the concept stage for a spacetech company. What are the key technical milestones you aim to achieve in the next 12 to 18 months?
Thank you for the wishes and support! A special thanks to our investors who believed in our bold vision and our team’s capabilities from day one. We are on track to demonstrate our revolutionary debris-capture technology in space in Q4 2026. In the meantime, we are rapidly developing indigenous technologies and will showcase a full-scale ground demonstration within the next month. Exciting times ahead!
How do you see Cosmoserve Space fitting into the broader ecosystem of space sustainability and the new space economy, especially with emerging satellite constellations?
The global space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, driven by surging demand for space-based applications and an exponential rise in satellite launches. Today, large defunct objects in orbit already outnumber operational satellites by 4:1 — and with the ongoing explosion in satellite deployments, this imbalance will only worsen. To ensure safe access to space for both new and existing players, we must actively remove space debris and create a sustainable orbital environment. India currently holds ~2% of the global space economy, with an
ambitious national target of 8% by 2033. Achieving this quantum leap is possible only by building cutting-edge, indigenous space technologies in India — for India and for the world.
What are the major regulatory and operational challenges Cosmoserve faces in deploying autonomous systems in orbit, and how are you planning to navigate them?
In Low Earth Orbit, objects travel at approximately 27,000 km/h (7.5 km/s).Rendezvousing with a target and capturing it without collision is one of the most complex challenges in active debris removal. ISRO’s recent SPADEX mission has successfully demonstrated this critical docking technology, significantly boosting our confidence in mastering autonomous rendezvous and capture. International regulations strictly prohibit any capture technique that risks damaging the target or generating secondary debris. Our bio-inspired soft robotic arms are specifically designed to envelop and secure the object gently and safely — ensuring zero damage and full compliance with global space debris mitigation guidelines.
What excites you most about the future of space technology and Cosmoserve’s place within it?
The future of space has always looked bright to me. Hundreds of companies are racing to build and launch new satellites, yet only a handful are seriously working on removing the dead ones. At Cosmoserve Space, we’re committed to cleaning up orbit and creating a truly sustainable space environment for generations to come.
The space industry is seeing significant growth,with thousands of satellites from Starlink, OneWeb, and others being launched. How do you see the market evolving over the next 5-10 years, and where does CosmoServ fit in that ecosystem?
The in-space servicing market is projected to reach $14.3 billion by 2030, with the active debris removal segment alone valued at $5.9 billion. Cosmoserve Space is determined to capture global leadership in this critical $5.9-billion space debris removal market by 2030.
You’re building this from Hyderabad, leveraging India’s growing private space ecosystem. What advantages does operating from India give you versus Silicon Valley or Europe? And what gaps or challenges do you face in the Indian ecosystem that you’re working to overcome?
Thanks to ISRO for nurturing India’s extraordinary space talent pool and building a robust space industry ecosystem. With India’s world-class engineering talent and cost-effective manufacturing prowess, we can develop cutting-edge space technologies at a fraction of Western costs. Yet, we still remain heavily dependent on imports for critical satellite components. True Aatmanirbharta in space will only be achieved when the entire ecosystem matures — including indigenous development of semiconductors, high-precision optics, advanced sensors, and other strategic technologies.
Finally, given your background as a science communicator, how important is public outreach and education in driving support for space sustainability initiatives?
It is crucial to educate the public — especially students and the younger generation— about space sustainability. By exposing them early to the real challenges of orbital debris and sustainable space operations, we can inspire the next wave of innovators to develop breakthrough solutions and become active stewards of space for the future.
