Hyderabad Startup Stardour Achieves Milestone with India's First Hydrogen-Oxygen Propulsion Engine

HYDERABAD: In a groundbreaking achievement, Stardour, a stealth-mode spacetech startup based in Hyderabad, announced the successful test firing of India's first hydrogen and oxygen propulsion engine. Developed in-house, this innovative engine represents a significant step forward in sustainable space technology.

Powering the Future of Space Exploration

The engine, tested at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, is set to power Stardour's flagship next-generation orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), named Lucas. Scheduled for its maiden launch in the third quarter of 2027, Lucas is designed to undertake scientific and commercial missions across various orbits, including low earth orbit (LEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), and even the moon and Mars.

A New Era of In-Space Logistics

OTVs, or space tugs, play a crucial role in modern space missions by transporting payloads like satellites from one orbit to another, conducting orbit changes, and providing services such as orbital refuelling and spacecraft repair. Stardour's director, Rama Rao, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, "This successful test fire is not just a technical milestone; it's a signal to the world that India is ready to lead in the new era of sustainable and autonomous in-space logistics."

Commitment to Green Propulsion and Innovation

IISc professor Pratikash Panda praised the startup's commitment to green propulsion technology and innovation in reusable spacecraft. Founded by Sankarsh Chanda in 2020 and led by former ISRO scientist Rama Rao, the bootstrapped startup is focusing on green propulsion, orbital mobility, and deep-space exploration, setting a new standard for the industry.