Astrogate Labs: Lighting the Path for Space-to-Ground Laser Communication – By Aadrash Dubey – Space News Contributor (Intern), India Interplanetary.tv – Photo & Video credit: Astrogate Labs – In the heart of Bengaluru’s space-tech ecosystem, Aditya Kedlaya and Nitish Singh are quietly transforming how satellites communicate with Earth. Their startup, Astrogate Labs—founded in 2017—is pioneering laser-based optical communication systems that aim to replace outdated radio frequency methods with faster, more secure, and scalable alternatives.

The Communication Bottleneck.
Traditional satellite communication relies heavily on radio and microwave frequencies. These systems suffer from low bandwidth, high spectrum licensing costs, and limited data rates. As the smallsat industry expands—with thousands of satellites launched annually—the need for high-speed, interference-free communication has become urgent.

Astrogate’s Vision.
Astrogate Labs is building a full-stack optical communication solution. Their flagship product, Astro-Link, is a compact laser terminal (just 95×95×80 mm) capable of delivering 1 Gbps downlink speeds. It’s designed for CubeSats and nanosatellites, enabling high-speed data transfer from orbit to Earth.

The company is also developing a network of optical ground stations and space relay systems, aiming to create a seamless, global laser communication infrastructure.

Key Milestones.
14 Sep. 2017: Astrogate Labs officially incorporated in Bengaluru, India.
19 April 2018: First funding round initiated. |
24 Nov. 2020: Raised $454K in Seed round led by Speciale Invest and Anicut Capital.
17 May 2024: Featured in Inc42 as a deep-tech startup to watch.
10 Feb. 2025: Listed among “8 Indian Space Startups to Watch” by FoundersToday.
27 Feb. 2025: Raised $1.3M in latest Seed round led by Piper Serica Angel Fund.
29 April 2025: Covered by Inc42 for its laser communication breakthroughs.
21 Jun 2025: Highlighted in Indian Express as a leader in spacetech innovation.

Global Impact
Astrogate’s technology is a leap forward not just for India’s space-tech scene, but for the global satellite industry. By offering a turnkey solution—including terminals, ground stations, and software—they’re democratizing access to high-speed space data.
Their long-term vision includes space-to-space laser links, further expanding the possibilities for inter-satellite communication and deep space missions
— Aadrash Dubey

About the Author.

Aadrsh Dubey, a computer science graduate from Jai Narain College of Technology, Bhopal, is eager to join Interplanetary Television, a platform dedicated to delivering compelling, uncensored stories about the future of science and space. With a strong CGPA of 7.93, he is fluent in multiple programming languages and tech stacks, and has sharpened his skills through platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank. Aadrsh aims to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding, using his technical background to craft insightful journalism that sparks curiosity about interplanetary exploration.