Astrophel Aerospace to Test India’s First Privately Built Reusable Rocket Prototype on Independence Day 2026

Pune-based space tech startup Astrophel Aerospace, which has developed an in-house portfolio of ‘Made-in-India’ propulsion and cryogenic subsystems, today announced the upcoming test flight of its reusable suborbital rocket, targeting 15th August, 2026.

Designed as a vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) test prototype, a successful test not only represents a critical milestone towards the development of a fully operational and commercially viable reusable launch vehicle in India, but also as a flight-relevant validation platform for Astrophel’s cryogenic subsystems and components.

The 3-metre long prototype, also known as a hopper, weighs approximately 200kg, currently being designed, manufactured and assembled at Astrophel’s Pune facility. The space tech startup also recently developed high-performance cryogenic control valves, marking another key milestone in India’s private aerospace component manufacturing ecosystem. The valves are part of Astrophel’s broader portfolio of propulsion and cryogenic sub-systems, including turbopumps, vacuum-insulated cryogenic storage tanks and high-speed precision linear actuators.

We expect the upcoming test to mark one of the first instances of a privately developed reusable rocket prototype that’s been designed, manufactured and tested entirely from within India, said Co-founder and CEO, Suyash Bafna

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Astrophel Aerospace was one of a handful of space tech startups to successfully conduct a cryogenic engine test just three years ago on 15th August 2023, raising more than USD 800,000 last year. By vertically integrating critical sub-systems, the startup is demonstrating a tightly integrated hardware ecosystem that enables faster development cycles, improved performance control and seamless integration across allied industries such as aerospace, defense, oil & gas and emerging energy applications such as green hydrogen.

Our in-house design and manufacturing approach borrows inspiration from automotive best practices and we’ll be able to develop subsystems at approximately 40% of the cost compared to global players, added Cofounder and COO, Immanuel Louis.

India’s space tech startups today rely heavily on imported subsystems and components. Astrophel aims to address this gap by developing and validating critical hardware in-house, while also building revenue through component sales and licensing partnerships. The approach enables the company to de-risk the path to orbit while making high-performance propulsion and cryogenic systems more accessible to a broader range of launch partners and customers.

Satellite operators today rely on rideshare programs that face multiple delays due to limited availability and scheduling constraints, while it is predicted that over 70,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites will be launched over the next five years, as per Goldman Sachs Research. Demand for faster and more flexible launch solutions is set to grow exponentially with reusability emerging as a critical capability driving the future of accessibility to cost effective launch services. 

About Astrophel Aerospace

Astrophel Aerospace is an Indian space technology startup developing affordable, dedicated launch vehicles powered by advanced semi-cryogenic propulsion systems. The Pune- based startup is among the few private players in India to have independently built and successfully test-fired a semi-cryogenic rocket engine, on 15th August 2023, at a cost of just USD 6000, with zero external funding. Founded in 2022 by Suyash Bafna and Immanuel Louis, Astrophel is built on the belief that world-class aerospace technology should not cost billions. A core guiding principle at Astrophel Aerospace is, “To transform aerospace manufacturing the way the assembly line transformed automobiles.” While aiming for orbit, the startup is commercializing critical subsystems such as cryogenic valves, turbopumps, sensors, and actuators, producing them at a fraction of traditional costs using innovative engineering and automotive manufacturing methods. The startup combines principles from automotive manufacturing with advanced techniques such as 3D printing to reduce production time and costs by up to 40%. Beyond launch services, Astrophel is actively derisking R&D by commercialising high-value propulsion and aerospace components, enabling a sustainable revenue model ahead of full orbital missions. The startup is backed by deep-tech investors and supported by the Government of India’s MeitY SAMRIDH program, and an advisory board comprising veterans from ISRO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and DRDO. Astrophel has also signed a strategic MoU with ISRO to access testing infrastructure and technical support. With India’s space economy projected to reach USD 44 billion by 2033, the startup is poised to build a globally competitive, export-ready launch and propulsion ecosystem from within India.

About Suyash Bafna

Suyash Bafna is the Co-Founder of Astrophel Aerospace, playing a key role in systems integration, operations, and strategic execution. With a background in mechanical engineering, Suyash bridges the gap between propulsion, avionics, and structural design, ensuring that Astrophel’s launch systems are optimised for performance and reliability. He has been instrumental in coordinating subsystem development for the Astra C1 vehicle and managing timelines for the company’s upcoming suborbital launch. His focus on mission-readiness, testing protocols, and cross-functional collaboration has helped streamline development despite limited resources. At Astrophel, Suyash also oversees external partnerships and vendor alignments, working to reduce costs while maintaining technical integrity. Passionate about building indigenous space capabilities, he is committed to enabling affordable access to space for small satellite operators. His systems-driven leadership contributes significantly to Astrophel’s goal of becoming India’s most cost-effective and agile launch provider.

About Immanuel Louis

Immanuel Louis is the Co-Founder of Astrophel Aerospace. An aerospace engineer by training and a lifelong aviation enthusiast, Immanuel holds a master’s degree from MIT Chennai. His journey began with building remote-control aircraft as a child and evolved into co-building one of India’s most affordable semi-cryogenic rocket engines. At Astrophel, he spearheads propulsion system design, engineering integration, and business strategy. He is committed to building India’s next-gen launch infrastructure and fostering a new wave of aerospace talent. His passion lies in combining indigenous innovation with global best practices to position Astrophel as an upcoming leader in the small satellite launch segment.