India’s Space Revolution: How Digital Transformation is Empowering Startups and SMEs

Introduction: India’s Rising Space Ecosystem

India has made remarkable strides in space exploration, establishing itself as a significant global player. Recently, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla completed a historic mission to the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission-4, highlighting the nation’s growing role in human spaceflight. From modest beginnings to transformative milestones, India’s space program has advanced technology and supported societal progress. A defining moment came on 23 August 2023, when the Vikram Lander soft-landed near the Moon’s South Pole and deployed the Pragyan rover — making India the fourth country to reach the lunar surface and the first at the South Pole, an achievement now honored annually as National Space Day.

While this milestone is defining, India’s true strength in space stems from a deeper legacy in defense, aeronautics, and satellite technology — producing some of the world’s brightest minds who have contributed to global missions. Recent policy reforms have further democratized the sector, enabling private participation in satellite manufacturing, launches, and space-based services. The creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has bridged the gap between ISRO and private players, including startups, SMEs, and research institutions, unlocking opportunities across satellites, sub-assemblies, electronic components, and advanced materials.

With ISRO as the guiding force, large enterprises, conglomerates, and SMEs are diversifying into the space sector, creating a robust value chain. India is rapidly evolving into a global space startup hub, with over 70+ startups already working on innovative space and satellite projects. As this ecosystem grows, digitization and next-generation technologies are becoming critical enablers—and Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform is at the forefront of addressing these challenges.

How Dassault Systèmes is Transforming India’s Space Startup Ecosystem

1. Accelerating Innovation and Reducing Time-to-Market

Virtual Prototyping and Simulation are revolutionizing how startups design and develop space systems. Digital tools like virtual twins, AI-driven simulations, and 3D modeling allow startups to design, test, and iterate in a virtual environment, eliminating the need for costly physical prototypes. The 3DEXPERIENCE SaaS Platform takes this further by offering:

• Real-time collaboration for distributed teams
• Advanced simulation to optimize performance
• Integrated lifecycle management to streamline development

These capabilities help startups reduce development cycles, launch high-quality systems faster, and stay competitive.

2. Lowering Costs and Improving Accessibility

For startups and SMEs, affordability is a game-changer. Traditional engineering requires heavy upfront investment in licenses, hardware, and IT infrastructure. The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform on the cloud addresses this by:

• Offering subscription-based access to advanced design and manufacturing tools
• Enabling seamless collaboration across remote teams and organizations
• Reducing infrastructure costs by eliminating the need for high-end hardware

By democratizing access to advanced computational resources, the platform enables startups to innovate freely, without financial constraints.

3. Enhancing Precision and Reliability with MBSE

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is critical for designing complex systems like satellite constellations. Early adoption helps startups:

• Improve accuracy in satellite function design by considering all failure modes
• Enhance overall system reliability through comprehensive digital modeling

The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform enables startups to build virtual twins of satellite constellations, simulating how satellites interact with ground stations and communication networks. This helps:

• Discover integration issues early
• Design fault-tolerant systems that enhances reliability
• Simulate failure scenarios (e.g., satellite malfunctions, communication dropouts) to mitigate risks.

By embedding requirement traceability and compliance into the digital model, startups ensure their systems meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards.

4. Fostering Collaboration and Ecosystem Growth

Cross-collaboration is key to the success of India’s space startups. The 3DEXPERIENCE SaaS Platform acts as a digital hub, connecting SMEs with:

• Investors for funding and scaling opportunities
• Mentors and industry experts for guidance and best practices
• Research institutions for cutting-edge innovation
• Suppliers and manufacturers for seamless supply chain integration

This connected ecosystem drives:

• Real-time collaboration across teams and organizations
• Knowledge sharing to accelerate innovation
• Transparent progress tracking to build investor and stakeholder confidence

By breaking down silos, the platform helps create a connected, efficient, and innovative space ecosystem in India.

Conclusion: A New Era for India’s Space Startups

India’s space sector is on the cusp of transformation, driven by policy reforms, private participation, and digital innovation. With the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, startups and SMEs can overcome barriers such as cost, accessibility, and collaboration and thrive in the global space economy.

As India emerges as a space startup hub – the integration of digitization, MBSE, and cloud collaboration will be central to shaping the future. The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform is more than a tool; it’s a catalyst, empowering India’s space innovators to reach new heights.

Author: Kiran KUMAR – A&D Sales Director, Dassault Systèmes India

Kiran Kumar has over 25 years of experience and currently serves as Sales Director – Aerospace & Defence.

He is an accomplished professional with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and leading high performing sales teams. With extensive experience in the information technology industry, he has a deep understanding of the product development life cycle, Engineering Simulation, market dynamics, and business strategies. He possesses keen insight into customer needs and an exceptional ability to build strong relationships, fostering long-term loyalty and strategic partnerships.