Indian space-tech startup Stardour has successfully tested the country’s first hydrogen-oxygen propulsion engine at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
About Stardour
Founded in Hyderabad by Sankarsh Chanda in 2023 and led by former ISRO scientist Rama Rao, Stardour is a stealth-mode Indian space-tech startup developing Lucas, a next-generation Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) designed to conduct scientific and commercial expeditions across Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO), the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
An OTV is a space tug that picks up payloads such as satellites from one orbit to another, from a launch vehicle’s drop-off point to final orbit. It can also function in orbit changes, orbital refuelling and spacecraft repair, life extension services and debris removal.
Lucas is scheduled to launch in Q3 2027, marking a notable advancement of India’s private space and deep-space technologies.
The space-tech startupcomprises former ISRO scientists and researchers from top Indian technical institutions. The firm combines academic expertise with a startup mindset to build momentum towards its goal of contributing to global space mobility.
Stardour Director’s message
While the sector is still growing, the firm’s early-stage propulsion tests place Stardour among a growing cohort of private Indian firms investing in advanced space technologies.
“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, further added that, “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.”
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