Astrophel Aerospace, a Pune-based space tech startup, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the Department of Space’s nodal body enabling startup participation in India’s space sector. The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, and Dr. Prafulla Kumar Jain, Director of Program
Management & Authorization, IN-SPACe.
The MoU will enable Astrophel Aerospace to gain access to ISRO facilities for technical reviews, subsystem testing, and certifications of critical cryogenic components such as turbopumps and semi-cryogenic engine development. It also creates a Joint Project Implementation Plan (JPIP) framework, allowing Astrophel to collaborate with ISRO experts for design validation and test campaigns.
The space tech startup is among only a handful of Indian startups to have independently developed and tested a semi-cryogenic rocket engine, first achieved on 15th August 2023, at a record-low cost of just ₹6 lakh, without external funding. Astrophel is now preparing for its first suborbital launch and targets delivery of a fully reusable hopper prototype within the next 24–36 months.
“Our collaboration with IN-SPACe brings us a step closer to realising flexible and affordable launch access across India. I’m grateful to IN-SPACe for extending this much-needed support our vision,” said Suyash Bafna, Co-founder, Astrophel Aerospace. “We are building a modular propulsion platform focused on reusability and indigenous supply chains across cryogenic components and missile-grade guidance systems,” added Immanuel Louis, Co-founder, Astrophel Aerospace.
The MoU follows Astrophel’s recent INR 6.84 crore fundraise, with an additional USD 5 million funding round in the pipeline to fast-track the development of a reusable hopper prototype powered by its Astra series rocket engine. The propulsion subsystems which include critical components such as valves, turbopumps, and guidance systems are being developed and certified with a listed Indian manufacturing company for dual-use applications, with relevance in energy sector, industrial gas systems, and defence.
With a lean team drawing experience from ISRO, DRDO, and HAL, Astrophel Aerospace is positioning itself as an emerging player in reusable rockets targeting low-cost orbital launches focused on the small satellite launch vehicles (SSLV) segment.
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