Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Startups Revolutionize Earth Observation with Drones
Two Indian startups, Kalam Labs and Arctus Aerospace, are making special drones that can fly very high, almost like satellites.
These drones can help with weather forecasts, watching over areas, and even military tasks.
Kalam Labs appeared on Shark Tank India to ask for money to grow their company.
They want to make India self-reliant in advanced technology.
Their drones are already being used by the Indian government for important missions.
Arctus Aerospace, founded by an IIT Madras alumnus, is also building high-altitude drones that can stay in the air for a long time and capture very detailed pictures of the Earth.
They aim to provide this data at a much lower cost than satellites, which can be very expensive.
Both startups are working on making their drones better and more reliable, but they face many challenges in doing so.
Kalam Labs and Arctus Aerospace are developing high-altitude drones as cost-effective alternatives to satellites for earth observation and surveillance.
Kalam Labs pitched on Shark Tank India Season 5 seeking ₹2 crore for 0.67% equity, valuing the company at ₹300 crore.
Arctus Aerospace has secured $2.6 Mn in funding and aims to provide high-resolution geospatial data at a fraction of satellite costs.
Kalam Labs' drones are operational with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and deployed at strategic locations like Pokhran and the Indo-China Line of Control (LAC).
Arctus Aerospace's UAVs can fly at 45,000 ft for 24 hours with a 250 kg payload, capturing hyperspectral, optical, and infrared imagery over large areas.
- Who
- Kalam Labs and Arctus Aerospace, Indian startups developing high-altitude drones
- What
- Developing stratospheric and high-altitude, long-endurance UAVs for earth observation and surveillance
- When
- Kalam Labs pitched on Shark Tank India Season 5; Arctus Aerospace founded in 2024
- Where
- Kalam Labs in Lucknow, Arctus Aerospace in Bengaluru
- Why
- To provide cost-effective alternatives to satellites for various applications
- Kalam Labs
- Lucknow-based stratospheric aerial robotics startup
- Arctus Aerospace
- Bengaluru-based high-altitude, long-endurance UAV startup
- Kalam Labs Founders
- Ahmad Faraaz, Sashakt Tripathi, Harshit Awasthi
- Arctus Aerospace Founder
- Shreepoorna S Rao, IIT Madras alumnus
- Kalam Labs Valuation
- ₹300 crore
- Arctus Aerospace Funding
- $2.6 Mn
- Kalam Labs Funding Ask
- ₹2 crore for 0.67% equity
- Kalam Labs Team Size
- 15 members
- Arctus Aerospace Team Size
- 12 members
- Kalam Labs Key Platforms
- Stratospheric ISR UAV, Stratospheric Retrievable Radiosonde, Stratospheric Kamikaze UAV Swarm
- Arctus Aerospace UAV Features
- 45,000 ft altitude, 24-hour endurance, 250 kg payload, $100 per hour operation cost
- Kalam Labs Operational Missions
- India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pokhran, Indo-China Line of Control (LAC)
- Arctus Aerospace Target Sectors
- Agriculture, infrastructure, mining, security, climate monitoring
