Astrophel Targets 15 August For Suborbital Reusable Test

09 Apr 2026 CW Team

The three-metre prototype, described by the company as a hopper, weighs about 200 kilogram (kg) and is being designed, manufactured and assembled at Astrophel's Pune facility. The vertical takeoff and vertical landing test prototype is intended to validate high-performance cryogenic control valves that the company has developed as well as turbopumps, vacuum-insulated cryogenic storage tanks and high-speed precision linear actuators. These components form part of a broader portfolio aimed at enabling tighter integration across subsystems.

The company noted that it previously conducted a cryogenic engine test on 15 August 2023 and raised more than USD 800,000 last year as it pursued in-house development. The co-founders indicated that the in-house design and manufacturing approach draws on automotive best practices and allows the firm to develop subsystems at approximately 40 per cent of the cost compared to global players. Vertical integration is said to enable faster development cycles and improved performance control.

Astrophel aims to address a domestic gap in critical aerospace hardware by developing and validating components in-house while building revenue through component sales and licensing partnerships. The company argues that this approach will help to de-risk the path to orbit and make high-performance propulsion and cryogenic systems more accessible. With over 70,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites expected to be launched over the next five years, demand for faster and more flexible launch solutions is expected to grow and reusability is identified as a key capability.

Astrophel Aerospace has announced that it is targeting 15 August 2026 for the suborbital test flight of a reusable rocket prototype intended to demonstrate vertical takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. The test is presented as a critical milestone towards a fully operational and commercially viable reusable launch vehicle and as a validation platform for in-house cryogenic subsystems developed by the Pune-based startup. The planned flight is intended to accelerate development timelines and reduce reliance on imported components. The three-metre prototype, described by the company as a hopper, weighs about 200 kilogram (kg) and is being designed, manufactured and assembled at Astrophel's Pune facility. The vertical takeoff and vertical landing test prototype is intended to validate high-performance cryogenic control valves that the company has developed as well as turbopumps, vacuum-insulated cryogenic storage tanks and high-speed precision linear actuators. These components form part of a broader portfolio aimed at enabling tighter integration across subsystems. The company noted that it previously conducted a cryogenic engine test on 15 August 2023 and raised more than USD 800,000 last year as it pursued in-house development. The co-founders indicated that the in-house design and manufacturing approach draws on automotive best practices and allows the firm to develop subsystems at approximately 40 per cent of the cost compared to global players. Vertical integration is said to enable faster development cycles and improved performance control. Astrophel aims to address a domestic gap in critical aerospace hardware by developing and validating components in-house while building revenue through component sales and licensing partnerships. The company argues that this approach will help to de-risk the path to orbit and make high-performance propulsion and cryogenic systems more accessible. With over 70,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites expected to be launched over the next five years, demand for faster and more flexible launch solutions is expected to grow and reusability is identified as a key capability.

Infrastructure Energy

08 Jun 2026

India Adds Record 44.61 GW Solar Capacity in FY2026

India’s solar sector reached a milestone in FY2026, with cumulative installed capacity crossing 150 GW and annual additions hitting a record 44.61 GW, exceeding the government target of 34 GW and nearly doubling FY2025’s 23.83 GW. Distributed Renewable Energy contributed 16.3 GW, while PPA and C&I segments accounted for 34 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively.India has risen from 9th globally in 2015 to 3rd in cumulative solar capacity by 2025 and is set to become the world’s second-largest solar market in annual installations in 2026. Seven states, led by Rajasthan and Gujarat, ac..

Real Estate

08 Jun 2026

Abhee Ventures unveils Scottish-themed 45-acre township in Bengaluru

Abhee Ventures, a leading South Indian real estate developer, has announced “Codename New Dimension,” a 45-acre Scottish-themed residential township at Gunjur on Whitefield–Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru. Strategically located between Whitefield and Sarjapur Road, Gunjur benefits from strong connectivity to the Outer Ring Road IT corridor, ITPL, EPIP, the upcoming Dommasandra Metro Station, and the proposed SWIFT City and Peripheral Ring Road.The township, designed in collaboration with London-based UHA London and India’s RSP Architects, offers low-density living with 85 per cent open spaces..

Infrastructure Urban

08 Jun 2026

BPE launches world’s thinnest Active Tile for legacy data centres

Best Power Equipments (India) Pvt Ltd (BPE), a leading provider of power solutions, data centre systems, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), has launched the BPE Active Tile, the world’s thinnest active tile designed for legacy data centres and telecom infrastructure. At just 65 mm thick, the tile requires significantly less space than conventional active tiles, which need nearly 450 mm floor depth.“Most legacy data centres were built decades ago for lower IT loads and traditional airflow patterns,” said A Prabhu, Executive Director – Technical (Global Operations), BPE. “As ra..