Exotrail has signed a second electric propulsion contract with Indian satellite manufacturer XDLINX Space Labs, reinforcing cross-border space industry collaboration and expanding capacity for advanced small satellite missions.
Under the renewed agreement, XDLINX Space Labs has placed an order for 16 additional propulsion units to be delivered by 2027. After equipping the demonstration mission of this world’s first multi-sensor SAR & Optical Earth observation satellite, these world-class propulsion systems will power XDLINX Space Labs’ growing capacity in orbit at the service of sovereign Indian Earth Observation capabilities.
Exotrail’s spaceware™ portfolio enable XDLINX Space Labs’ customers to benefit from Exotrail’s world-class propulsion solutions to fly all their cutting-edge missions. spaceware™, and its nano, micro, mini and cluster product configurations, is Exotrail’s space-proven Hall Effect electric propulsion system for satellites ranging from 10 to 1,000 kg.
Exotrail’s spaceware™ micro is a 150W propulsion system delivering more than 7mN of thrust for missions up to 60kNs and more. It provides an unrivalled trade-off between thrust compared to mass and volume efficiency. The system now holds more than 600 hours of firing in orbit and 2000 cycles, notably proven onboard Exotrail’s own servicing satellite, the spacevan™. With more than 150 units in backlog for customers all around the world, spaceware™ – micromanufacturing pace is increasing in a 1300m² (140.000ft/sq) world-class industrial facilities installed in 2025. Thanks to its high level of thrust and modularity, spaceware™ also drastically improves satellite deployment, increases service performance, and contributes to the reduction of space pollution – a global challenge to answer collectively.
Jean-Luc Maria, CEO of Exotrail, declares: “We are very grateful for this renewed mark of trust XDLINX Space Labs has placed on Exotrail, epitomizing the strong Indian-French bond in space. Providing propulsion systems not only involves delivering subsystems but also building a lasting partnership to support our customers through their scaling. We built our industrial capabilities around this very idea, and we are all hands on deck to follow the growth of our successful customers.”
Rupesh Gandupalli, CEO of XDLINX Labs, adds: “This renewed order reflects our confidence in Exotrail’s performance and our long-term vision to industrialize spacecraft manufacturing in India. As we scale sovereign Earth observation capabilities, propulsion reliability and manoeuvrability become mission-critical. The added thrust and endurance provided by Exotrail’s systems enable our small satellite platforms to achieve performance levels traditionally associated with much larger spacecraft, while retaining the agility and cost efficiency of compact systems. Beyond hardware, this partnership strengthens a broader Indo-French technological collaboration in space. Together, we are building resilient supply chains, enhancing orbital sustainability, and advancing scalable, sovereign space infrastructure designed to meet the evolving strategic needs of our customers.”
