French space logistics leader Exotrail announced three landmark contracts with prominent Indian space companies to provide dozens of its spaceware™ electric propulsion systems. The agreements were signed in Mumbai during the inauguration of the “India-France Year of Innovation,” attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Strengthening the Indo-French Space Ecosystem
The contracts significantly expand Exotrail’s presence in India’s rapidly growing commercial space sector, focusing on Earth Observation (EO) and small satellite constellations. The deals include:
- XDLINX Labs: A second contract for 16 micro-class flight models intended for sovereign ISR and Earth Observation missions.
- Pixxel: A first-time contract to equip the planetary intelligence company’s high-resolution imaging constellation with Hall-Effect propulsion.
- Dhruva Space: An order for 14 systems to support modular micro and mini-satellite platforms for dual-use missions.
Technical Performance of spaceware™ Micro
The spaceware™ micro system selected by these partners is a 150W Hall-Effect electric propulsion unit optimized for satellites between 10 and 1,000 kg.
- Thrust: Delivers more than 7mN of thrust.
- Heritage: Over 600 hours of in-orbit firing and 2,000 cycles proven via Exotrail’s own spacevan™ vehicle.
- Production: Manufacturing is being scaled at Exotrail’s new 1,300m² industrial facility to fulfill a global backlog of over 150 units.
Executive Commentary
“There is no doubt the Indian space ecosystem is booming, and we are proud the new players are placing their trust in our products in order to build next-generation Indian space capabilities,” said Jean-Luc Maria, CEO of Exotrail. “Our propulsion systems are an export success because they meet the performance and flexibility the Earth Observation market requires.”
Alignment with Global Service Roadmaps
This expansion follows Exotrail’s recent partnership with Astroscale France to develop deorbiting capabilities, further positioning the company as a key provider of orbital mobility and sustainability services. The Indian contracts are scheduled for delivery through 2027, supporting the deployment of advanced space infrastructure for Pixxel and its peers.
