Cosmoserve Space, an Indian space technology startup focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR) solutions, has announced that its first orbital technology demonstration, Mission Embrace, will be launched aboard Skyroot Aerospace’s maiden orbital mission, Vikram-1, under Mission Aagaman. Scheduled within the approved launch window between July 12 and August 4, 2026, the mission will attempt the world’s first in-orbit demonstration of a soft robotic capture system designed to safely capture inactive satellites and orbital debris.
Mission Embrace will fly on India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle carrying satellite payloads, marking a significant milestone for both the country’s private space sector and the emerging field of orbital debris management. The demonstration aims to validate a robotic capture mechanism capable of engaging with unprepared and non-cooperative objects in space, a capability considered essential for future debris removal and satellite servicing missions.
The increasing number of inactive satellites and fragmented debris in Earth’s orbit has become one of the most pressing challenges facing the global space industry. As satellite constellations continue to expand, the need for technologies that can safely remove obsolete spacecraft and maintain sustainable orbital environments is becoming increasingly urgent. Cosmoserve Space is developing a dual-spacecraft Active Debris Removal system in which a robotic servicing spacecraft can capture and deorbit defunct satellites at a substantially lower cost than conventional approaches.
At the core of this solution is the company’s proprietary soft robotic capture mechanism. Unlike rigid capture systems, the technology has been engineered to gently secure non-cooperative satellites without causing additional damage or creating new debris. Mission Embrace will provide the first opportunity to validate this technology in the space environment, generating valuable operational data for future commercial debris removal missions.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the programme has been its rapid development timeline. Cosmoserve Space progressed from the initial concept to flight-qualified hardware in just four months, despite being incorporated less than a year ago. This achievement places the company among the fastest startups globally to move from establishment to orbital flight readiness, demonstrating the growing capabilities of India’s private space ecosystem.
The development programme followed a structured engineering process with independent oversight from a review committee comprising former ISRO scientists and experienced aerospace professionals. The project successfully completed every major evaluation stage, including the System Concept Review (SCR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR) and Flight Readiness Review (FRR), before receiving approval for launch.
Commenting on the milestone, Dr Chiranjeevi Phanindra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cosmoserve Space, said, “Mission Embrace represents a significant step for both Cosmoserve Space and India’s commercial space sector. We have developed our soft robotic capture technology from concept to flight-qualified hardware within four months while maintaining rigorous engineering and review standards. Flying aboard Skyroot’s Vikram-1 mission allows us to demonstrate an entirely new capability that could play an important role in addressing the growing challenge of orbital debris. This mission lays the technological foundation for future Active Debris Removal and in-orbit servicing solutions.”
Mission Embrace marks the first phase of Cosmoserve Space’s long-term roadmap to develop scalable technologies for orbital servicing and debris removal. As space activity continues to increase worldwide, reliable systems capable of extending satellite lifecycles and removing inactive spacecraft will become essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Earth’s orbital environment. Through this mission, Cosmoserve Space aims to contribute to the development of critical infrastructure that supports safer, cleaner and more sustainable space operations.
Cosmoserve Space is a trailblazing startup focused on combating space debris using autonomous robotic spacecraft. Founded by former ISRO scientist Dr Chiranjeevi Phanindra, the company leverages cutting-edge technology and industry expertise to promote sustainable space exploration.
