Stardour Successfully Test-Fires India's First Hydrogen-Oxygen Propulsion Engine at IISc Bengaluru.

Science and Technology

In July 2025, Stardour Aerospace Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based Indian space-tech startup, achieved a major breakthrough by successfully test-firing India’s first hydrogen-oxygen propulsion engine at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Karnataka. The innovation marks a pivotal milestone in the nation’s transition towards cleaner, reusable space propulsion systems.


      - Stardour’s hydrogen-oxygen propulsion engine was entirely developed in-house, reflecting the growing technological self-reliance of India’s private space sector. This test was conducted in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, one of India’s premier scientific research institutions.

      - The propulsion engine uses gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen as its propellants. These elements are known for high efficiency and clean combustion, making them suitable for future-focused space missions. The selection of these green propellants aligns with global efforts toward sustainable aerospace engineering.

     

Main Point :-   (i) One of the standout features of the engine is its environmentally friendly exhaust. It releases only water vapor during combustion, making it a zero-carbon emission system. This places India among a limited number of nations developing clean propulsion technology for space missions.

      (ii) This engine is specifically designed to power Stardour’s upcoming Lucas Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV), which is scheduled for launch in 2027. The Lucas OTV will play a crucial role in transporting payloads and satellites between orbits, aiding precise in-space logistics and deployment.

(iii) Lucas, as a reusable vehicle, represents Stardour’s ambition to support in-space satellite servicing and modular deployment. With this engine, Lucas will be capable of transporting payloads from the launch vehicle's drop-off point to the satellite’s final intended orbit—improving efficiency and expanding the mission capabilities of India’s commercial space sector.

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