India’s first privately-built FFSC rocket engine signals a new dawn in space flight

Why in the News

Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled EVEREST, India’s first privately built 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) LOX-Methane engine on 7 August 2026. India is now the fourth country after Russia, the US and China with FFSC technology.

What is an FFSC Engine?

1. About: An advanced liquid rocket engine architecture offering high thrust and efficiency.
2. Full-flow: Fuel and oxidiser pass through separate pre-burners, driving turbopumps before entering the main chamber.
3. Advantage: Almost all propellant contributes to thrust, improving efficiency and reusability.

What is LOX-Methane?

• LOX: Liquid Oxygen as oxidiser.
• Methane: Fuel that burns relatively cleanly, reducing engine deposits and aiding faster refurbishment and turnaround.

What is IN-SPACe?

• Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, an autonomous agency under the Department of Space.
• Acts as a single-window agency to promote and authorise private space activities.
• Astrobase received support through its Technology Adoption Fund.

Why is EVEREST Significant?

1. Technology: Makes India the 4th FFSC-capable nation.
2. Reusability: Suitable for reusable launch vehicles with precise throttle control.
3. Capacity: Could enable reusable systems carrying up to 30 tonnes to LEO.
4. Manufacturing: Uses advanced manufacturing, including large-scale 3D printing.
5. Timeline: Development began in 2024; integrated hot-fire tests are planned at Anantapur, with first flight targeted for December 2028.

Global Comparison

• Russia: Pioneer in FFSC technology.
• USA: SpaceX’s Raptor is the only operational FFSC engine.
• China: LandSpace has developed a commercial high-thrust FFSC engine.
• India: EVEREST marks its entry into FFSC technology.

Private Space Sector in India

• 2020 reforms: Opened space activities to private players through IN-SPACe.
• Indian Space Policy 2023: Enables greater private participation across the space value chain.
• NSIL: Commercial arm of the Department of Space.
• Firms such as Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos are developing indigenous launch technologies.

“[2026] Consider the following statements about involvement of private entities in India’s space programme:

1. IN-SPACe is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.

2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.

3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3