As space becomes an increasingly important frontier for scientific research, satellite communication, defence, climate monitoring and commercial missions, the world is also facing a growing challenge: how to manage the skies and space more safely. With rising aircraft movement, increasing satellite launches and expanding aerospace activity, the need for smarter airspace management systems has become more urgent than ever.
In this emerging race is Subham Haldar, a young aerospace scientist and entrepreneur from Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and his company GAIA SPACE Private Limited, a young Indian space-technology startup working on space-based global airspace management system and in-space propulsion technology.
GAIA SPACE’s flagship initiative, the ATLAS Project, aims to develop a space-based global airspace management system that can support aircraft tracking, airspace monitoring and aviation safety across the world. The project is designed to address one of aviation’s biggest challenges: limited aircraft visibility over oceans, remote islands, polar routes, mountainous regions and areas where ground-based radar coverage is weak or unavailable.
“ATLAS is being developed with the vision of making global airspace safer, smarter and more connected. Aircraft should remain visible and protected whether they are flying over a major city or across the middle of the ocean,” said Subham Haldar, Founder and CEO of GAIA SPACE Pvt Ltd.
According to Mr.Haldar, the system could help aviation authorities, airlines and air traffic stakeholders improve real-time situational awareness, emergency response, route planning and international airspace coordination. In the long term, space-based airspace management could also contribute to improved fuel efficiency, reduced delays and lower environmental impact by enabling more optimized flight routes and national security.
The company is also working on in-space propulsion technology, an important capability for satellite mobility and sustainable space operations. In-space propulsion allows satellites and spacecraft to change orbits, avoid collisions, extend mission life and safely deorbit after completing their missions. As Earth’s orbit becomes more crowded with satellites and space missions, such technologies are expected to play a key role in future orbital safety.
“Space sustainability is not only about launching high end satellites; it is also about operating them responsibly. Propulsion systems are essential for mobility, collision avoidance and end-of-life disposal. This is an area where GAIA SPACE wants to build strong technical capability,” Haldar said.
A major part of GAIA SPACE’s development is its collaboration with Uttaranchal University, where the company is working towards setting up a space technology and space propulsion-focused laboratory. The lab is expected to support students and researchers in areas such as satellite systems, propulsion concepts, mission planning, aerospace design, simulation and space-based applications.
For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, GAIA SPACE represents a rare step into the deep-tech and aerospace sector. Haldar believes that innovation should not be limited to major technology hubs and that young people from island regions and smaller cities should also see themselves as future contributors to World’s space economy.
With India’s private space sector gaining momentum, GAIA SPACE hopes to contribute to the country’s expanding aerospace ecosystem through research, technology development and academic-industry collaboration. Its work on ATLAS, in-space propulsion and reflects a wider goal: to build technologies that make aviation safer, space more sustainable and aerospace education more practical.
GAIA SPACE Private Limited is still at an early stage, but its mission is ambitious. From an island city to the global aerospace technology map.
The organization leadership also has a personal connection. Dr. Sachin Srivastava, who was once Haldar’s professor, is now his guiding partner and Managing Director of GAIA SPACE. Their journey from teacher and student to professional collaborators has become an important part of the company’s story.
“India’s private space sector is entering an important phase, and GAIA SPACE represents the transformation of academic knowledge into real-world aerospace innovation. What began as a teacher-student relationship has grown into a shared mission to build meaningful technologies for India and the world. We hopes to contribute through research-driven innovation, academic partnerships and technologies that serve both Earth and space. Our goal is to build a strong foundation today for the aerospace systems of tomorrow,” said Dr. Sachin Srivastava, Managing Director and Co-Founder of GAIA SPACE Pvt Ltd.