Astrobase Secures IN-SPACe Support for Indigenous Propulsion Programme
Ahmedabad, June 11: Astrobase, an Indian space infrastructure company, today announced that it has been selected for support under the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) for the development of its indigenous 80-ton Full Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) LOX–methane rocket engine. The grant agreement linked to defined technical milestones, was signed by Neeraj Khandelwal, Co-Founder and CEO, 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 the development of Astrobase’s engine, a critical component of the company’s broader vision to build advanced space infrastructure in India. The engine is under hot-fire test at the company’s propulsion test facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. Astrobase designs, builds, and tests its propulsion and vehicle systems in-country, operating a 46,000 sq ft assembly facility in Bengaluru alongside the Anantapur test site. As India works towards building a $44 billion space economy by 2034, the development marks an important milestone in strengthening the country’s indigenous space infrastructure capabilities and expanding its participation in the global space value chain.
Commenting on the development, Neeraj Khandelwal, Co-Founder and CEO, Astrobase, said, “India should build its own space propulsion capabilities rather than rely on imported technologies. Our efforts are aligned with the broader vision of Make in India to develop critical technologies and manufacturing capabilities within the country for India to transform into a provider of assured access to space, not merely a consumer of it.. IN-SPACe evaluated not just the architecture but our team and the hardware for over a year before backing us. Their support is a validation of an active engine development programme with real test infrastructure and a clear path to delpoyment.”
The selection follows an extensive evaluation process conducted by IN-SPACe over the past year, assessing the programme’s technological potential, strategic relevance, and long-term impact on India’s evolving space ecosystem. Astrobase was among just three companies selected from a pool of 47 space technology firms that applied for support under the programme. It is the first time IN-SPACe has extended direct support to Astrobase, and places the company among the small set of Indian private efforts the regulator has chosen to back in advanced propulsion. Astrobase’s selection reflects the strategic importance of developing advanced indigenous propulsion systems that can strengthen India’s long-term space infrastructure, reduce dependence on foreign technologies, and support the country’s growing commercial and national space ambitions.
The Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) was established by IN-SPACe to accelerate the development and commercialisation of high-potential space technologies by Indian private-sector companies. The ₹25 crore support reflects the Government of India’s continued focus on strengthening indigenous space capabilities and advancing strategic technologies critical to the country’s future space ambitions. For Astrobase, the milestone builds upon investments of over ₹100 crore in propulsion systems, test infrastructure, and manufacturing capabilities, helping accelerate the next phase of its technology development roadmap.