💧Bellatrix Aerospace
Artist visualization of the Microwave Plasma Thruster (MPT) firing in deep space using water as propellant.
Bellatrix Aerospace focuses on what happens after a rocket reaches orbit. Founded in 2015 at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) by Rohan M Ganapathy and Yashas Karanam, they specialize in in-space propulsion systems designed to make satellites highly maneuverable, efficient, and exceptionally eco-friendly.
Propelling the Future: Water as Fuel
One of Bellatrix's most globally significant innovations is their **Microwave Plasma Thruster (MPT)**. Traditional satellites use highly toxic, expensive chemical propellants like Hydrazine. The MPT literally uses water. The system converts liquid water into plasma using microwave energy to generate thrust. This drastically reduces mission costs, simplifies fueling protocols, and eliminates toxicity hazards.
⚛️ Propulsion Portfolio
| Technology | Propellant | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| MPT (Microwave Plasma) | Water / Green Propellants | Station keeping / Deep Space |
| Hall Effect Thruster | Xenon / Krypton | Large Satellites / ISRO Missions |
| Rudran (Green Propellant) | Non-toxic High Performance | Quick Maneuvering |
Arka: The Space Taxi
Bellatrix is developing the **Arka Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV)**. Think of this as a space taxi. A large rocket (like ISRO's PSLV) drops the Arka OTV in a common orbit, and Arka then uses its advanced thrusters to deliver multiple small satellites to their precise, differing functional orbits. This "last-mile delivery" service is essential for the future of megaconstellations.
Bellatrix Achievement Timeline
2021
ISRO Hall Thruster Order
First private company to receive an ISRO order for development of Hall Thrusters.
Jan 2024
POEM-3 Mission Success
Successful in-orbit testing of Rudra green propulsion and Arka heater-less thrusters on ISRO mission.
2025 (Projected)
Arka-1 Full Mission
Full qualification mission for the Orbital Transfer Vehicle.
Setting Global Sustainability Standards
As the space sector shifts rapidly towards sustainable operations to prevent "Kessler Syndrome" and orbital debris, Bellatrix's zero-toxicity and high-efficiency solutions are capturing massive international interest. They are positioning themselves as the go-to propulsion provider for the next generation of sustainable satellite platforms.