Astrobase Unveils 800 kN EVEREST Rocket Engine for Reusable Launch Vehicles

Bengaluru-based space-tech startup Astrobase Space Technologies on Friday unveiled what it described as India’s first privately built full-flow staged combustion (FFSC) LOX-Methane rocket engine, marking a significant development in the country’s growing private space sector.

Named EVEREST, the 800-kilonewton-thrust engine is powered by liquid oxygen (LOX) and methane and has been designed for reusable medium-lift launch vehicles. The company said the engine architecture is aimed at delivering high performance while enabling precision control, faster turnaround and improved launch economics.

The FFSC architecture is regarded as one of the most advanced rocket-engine configurations globally because it is designed to utilise all the propellant, helping maximise engine performance and efficiency.

However, EVEREST is yet to undergo testing, and Astrobase said the timeline for its testing has not been finalised.

Neeraj Khandelwal, co-founder and CEO of Astrobase Space Technologies, said EVEREST was conceived as more than a technology demonstration and would serve as the foundation for building an indigenous industrial capability in high-thrust propulsion.

“With tens of thousands of satellites expected to be deployed over the coming decade, indigenous high-thrust propulsion systems and scalable launch infrastructure will be critical to strengthening India's position in the global space economy,” Khandelwal said.

The company plans to establish manufacturing infrastructure capable of producing up to 50 EVEREST engines annually. This capacity is expected to support its first major milestone of enabling approximately 100 tonnes of launch capacity per year in Phase 1.

According to Astrobase, the initial capacity could sustain a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) fleet of around 500–700 satellites. In Phase 2, the company aims to scale its launch capacity to more than 1,000 tonnes annually.

The unveiling comes as India’s private space ecosystem expands its focus from satellite development to advanced propulsion and reusable launch systems.