Hyderabad: Stardour, a stealth-mode Indian space-tech startup, has successfully test-fired the country’s first in-house developed hydrogen-oxygen propulsion engine at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
This breakthrough places Stardour at the forefront of sustainable and advanced propulsion technologies, setting the stage for next-generation space mobility and deep-space logistics, according to a press release.
Hyderabad: Stardour, a stealth-mode Indian space-tech startup, has successfully test-fired the country’s first in-house developed hydrogen-oxygen propulsion engine at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
Founded with a vision to redefine in-space transportation, Stardour is currently developing Lucas—a next-generation Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) designed for scientific and commercial missions across Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO), the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Lucas is slated for its maiden launch in Q3 2027, representing a major step forward in India’s private space ecosystem.
“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,” said Rama Rao, Director of Stardour.
Pratikash Panda, Professor at IISc, added, “Stardour’s recent achievement—the successful test fire of its hydrogen-oxygen engine—is a testament to its commitment to green propulsion technology and innovation in reusable spacecraft.”
The company says this breakthrough positions it at the forefront of sustainable propulsion systems, paving the way for future advances in space mobility and deep-space logistics.
