IN-SPACe Selects Astrobase Under Technology Adoption Fund for Indigenous 800 kN Rocket Engine Development

Astrobase has been selected under the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre's (IN-SPACe) Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) for the development of its indigenous 800 kN LOX–methane Full Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine. 

The agreement was signed by Neeraj Khandelwal, Co-Founder and CEO of Astrobase, during a ceremony hosted by Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, and attended by senior government and industry leaders, including Hon'ble Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal. 

The support will accelerate development of a critical propulsion system that forms a cornerstone of Astrobase's long-term vision to build advanced space infrastructure in India. The programme reflects the company's belief that India must develop sovereign propulsion capabilities and critical manufacturing infrastructure in-country to become a provider of assured access to space, rather than a consumer of imported technologies. 

The engine is currently undergoing hot-fire testing at Astrobase's propulsion test facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. Astrobase designs, manufactures, and tests its propulsion and vehicle systems entirely in India, operating a 46,000 sq. ft. assembly and integration facility in Bengaluru alongside its dedicated propulsion test infrastructure. 

The selection follows a comprehensive year-long technical evaluation by IN-SPACe, assessing the programme's technological potential, strategic relevance, and long-term impact on India's growing space ecosystem. Astrobase was among a select group of companies chosen for support under the programme. 

As India works towards building a $44 billion space economy by 2034, the development of advanced indigenous propulsion technologies represents an important step in strengthening the country's space infrastructure capabilities, reducing dependence on foreign technologies, and expanding India's participation in the global space value chain. 

The selection reinforces Astrobase's commitment to building the technologies and infrastructure required to deliver reliable, sovereign, and scalable access to space from India.