In 2023, Ashi Dissanayake, the co-founder of the in-space refuelling startup Spaceium, found herself so resourceful that she utilised the surface of her clothes dryer as a makeshift desk, fitting her legs inside the drying machine. With her computer situated next to laundry detergent pods, she was surrounded by detached robotic arms while working long hours alongside her co-founder, Reza Fetanat. At that time, the duo operated from a small apartment in Ottawa.
Since those early days, they have relocated to an office with proper desks, participated in Y Combinator, and recently declared an oversubscribed seed round of $6.3 million, led by Initialized Capital. The company is gearing up for a demonstration mission showcasing their product capabilities later this year, and Dissanayake has indicated they possess a robust customer pipeline.
The two co-founders connected at the University of Ottawa, united by their passion for space, and collaborated on various research projects. Dissanayake recalled that they were engaged in constructing rockets, including rocket structures, propulsion systems, and even parachutes designed to bring the rockets back safely. They launched samples to altitudes of up to 30,000 feet and transmitted the data back to Canadian laboratories.
Through their research, Dissanayake and Fetanat recognised that “the biggest bottleneck” in the aerospace sector was the absence of refuelling options in space. Currently, spacecraft must carry all the fuel required for missions. Post-mission, these spacecraft often become space debris, as described by Dissanayake.
For extended missions, particularly deep space explorations such as the potential colonisation of Mars, having access to fuel in space is essential. Dissanayake expressed their ambitious goal to create a “space super highway” featuring multiple refuelling stations where spacecraft can dock, refuel, and proceed with their journeys.
Spaceium is not alone in this endeavour; Orbit Fab is also actively developing in-space refuelling solutions and possesses a multi-year head start. Furthermore, Japanese aerospace firm Astroscale secured a $25.5 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to construct a refuelling vehicle.
Nonetheless, Dissanayake is optimistic about their competitive edge. She expressed confidence in having developed a distinctive system that allows for the long-term storage of fuel, a feat that, according to her, has not been previously achieved. However, she opted not to disclose more specific details.
Although Dissanayake acknowledges the journey ahead, she aspires to one day travel into space and gaze into the vastness, envisioning the moment when she might see their stations in orbit.