Astrobase Unveils EVEREST: India Joins Elite Group with Private FFSC Rocket Engine
Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies has developed India’s first privately built 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion engine. This milestone places India among four nations possessing high-efficiency, liquid oxygen-methane propulsion technology.
Key takeaways
- Astrobase Space Technologies has developed India's first private 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion engine named EVEREST.
- The engine uses LOX-Methane propellants, enabling higher efficiency and cleaner combustion suitable for reusable rockets.
- India joins the U.S., Russia, and China as the only nations with FFSC engine technology.
- EVEREST was manufactured using India's largest industrial 3D printer to support payloads up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.
What Happened
Astrobase Space Technologies, a Bengaluru-based aerospace firm, unveiled the EVEREST rocket engine on August 7, 2026. This 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) engine utilizes Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Methane. The achievement makes Astrobase the first private Indian entity to develop this specific engine architecture and the fourth organization globally to master the technology, following space programs in Russia, the United States, and China.
Why It Matters
The development of the EVEREST engine represents a shift toward more efficient and reusable space flight. Unlike traditional engines that discard a portion of propellants used to drive turbopumps, the FFSC architecture routes all fuel and oxidizer through pre-burners into the main combustion chamber. This design ensures that every unit of propellant contributes to generating thrust, resulting in higher propulsion efficiency. Furthermore, the use of LOX-Methane facilitates cleaner combustion, which reduces soot buildup and simplifies the refurbishment process required for reusable launch vehicles.
Background
Founded in 2024 by Neeraj Khandelwal and former ISRO scientist Devakumar Thammisetty, Astrobase Space Technologies developed the EVEREST engine using advanced manufacturing techniques, including the largest industrial 3D printer in India. Internationally, only SpaceX and Stoke Space in the U.S., and Land Space in China, have successfully developed high-thrust FFSC engines. Currently, SpaceX’s Raptor is the only operational engine of this type.
Key Facts
- The EVEREST engine produces 800 kN of thrust using a Full-Flow Staged Combustion cycle.
- It utilizes a Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Methane propellant combination.
- The architecture supports reusable launch systems with capabilities of up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.
- India is now the fourth nation to possess FFSC engine technology.
- Astrobase is one of only four commercial companies globally to reach this development milestone.
What Happens Next
The introduction of the EVEREST engine provides a foundation for a medium-lift platform intended for both commercial and strategic government missions. By enabling precise throttle control and faster turnaround between launches, the technology is positioned to strengthen India's indigenous launch capabilities and long-term access to space.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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