Astrophel Aerospace, IN-SPACe Ink MoU for Reusable Rocket Engine

• Astrophel Aerospace signs MoU with IN-SPACe to access ISRO facilities for testing and validation of semi-cryogenic propulsion systems
• Raised ₹6.84 crore and plans USD 5 million more to advance reusable rocket engines and cryogenic component production
• Successfully tested a semi-cryogenic rocket engine without external funding

Astrophel Aerospace, a space tech startup located in Pune, has signed a framework MoU with IN-SPACe, the nodal agency under the Department of Space (DoS) to gain access to ISRO facilities for technical reviews, system level testing, and qualification of critical propulsion system components (turbopumps and engine modules) for semi-cryogenic propulsion systems.

The agreement also allow Astrophel Aerospace to collaborate with ISRO experts under a Joint Project Implementation Plan (JPIP) for project specific support, design validation, and testing campaigns. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed under supervision of the IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka, and Director of Program Management and Authorization Prafulla Kumar Jain.

Astrophel recently raised ₹6.84 crore to develop a reusable launch hopper based on its Astra series launch vehicle. The company is also intending to raise USD 5 million to develop the reusable rocket engine, and to scale cryogenic components production.

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As for the ongoing work, the company is working on subsystems such as valves, turbopumps, and avionics as applications in the clean energy, industrial gas systems, defence and energy ecosystems.

It is one of the few Indian startups to ever test a semi-cryogenic rocket engine without monitory support from other external grams. On August 15, 2023, the company achieved the milestone of an open-cycle engine test-firing and known as a record-low spend of ₹6 lakh.

The designed engine is gamed to be modular, cost-effective and has a lean team of rocket design, with veterans from ISRO, DRDO and HAL, and is now preparing for its first suborbital launch with the hope of delivering a fully reusable hopper prototype in 24–36 months.