India's Bellatrix to develop next-gen low-flying satellite with South Korean firm

Bellatrix Aerospace and TelePIX have signed an MoU to build a Very Low Earth Orbit imaging satellite for launch by 2028.

In Short

• The MoU was signed in Daejeon, with launch targeted for 2028
• The satellite will orbit 150 to 250 kilometres above Earth
• Bellatrix will supply propulsion, power, thermal management and attitude-control systems

Indian space propulsion company Bellatrix Aerospace has partnered with South Korean space technology firm TelePIX to develop a next-generation Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite capable of capturing ultra-high-resolution images of Earth.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Daejeon, South Korea, marking a significant step toward advancing satellite technology for defense, disaster management and environmental monitoring applications. The partnership aims to launch the mission by 2028.

Under the agreement, TelePIX and Bellatrix will jointly develop an Earth-observation satellite that will operate in Very Low Earth Orbit, a region located about 150 to 250 kilometres above Earth's surface.

Unlike conventional Low Earth Orbit satellites, which typically operate at higher altitudes, VLEO satellites fly much closer to Earth, enabling them to capture significantly sharper and more detailed imagery.

The project will combine TelePIX's high-resolution optical imaging payload, known as Chouette, with Bellatrix Aerospace's proprietary VLEO satellite platform powered by its Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion system.

The Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion System, instead of carrying all its fuel onboard, collects atmospheric particles such as oxygen and nitrogen from the upper atmosphere, compresses them, and then uses electric power, usually generated by solar panels, to ionise and accelerate these particles, creating thrust.

Bellatrix will provide the satellite bus, propulsion, power, thermal management and attitude-control systems, while TelePIX will contribute the optical payload and support system integration.

One of the biggest challenges of operating satellites at such low altitudes is atmospheric drag. Even though space begins far above Earth, traces of the atmosphere remain at VLEO heights, constantly slowing satellites down and pulling them toward the planet.

Bellatrix's propulsion technology is designed to counter this drag and enable long-term operations in the harsh environment.

According to TelePIX, the Chouette payload has been specifically designed for VLEO missions and features a wide-swath optical imaging system capable of observing more than twice the area covered by many comparable satellites currently in operation. The company also plans to integrate its artificial intelligence-based image-processing technology to enhance data quality and usability.

Industry experts expect the VLEO segment to emerge as one of the fastest-growing areas of the space sector, driven by demand for high-resolution Earth observation data. Potential applications include military reconnaissance, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, agriculture and climate studies.

Following recent reforms that opened the country's space industry to private players, Indian companies such as Bellatrix are increasingly partnering with global firms to develop advanced space technologies and expand their presence in international markets.

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