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Hyderabad-based New Space Startup Abyom SpaceTech and Defence Private Limited is aiming to be the first in India to develop reusable rockets, starting with a flight demonstration next year of a vertical takeoff vertical landing (VTVL) prototype. Abyom is starting small with rapid scalability in mind, and will first be developing reusable sounding rockets that can be used for atmospheric studies, before moving on to a Small Reulsable Launch Vehicle (SRLV) and a Medium Reusable Launch Vehicle (MRLV). Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos, Pune-based Astrophel Aerospace, and Bengaluru-based EtherealX are all developing reusable or partially reusable rockets for deploying small satellites.
The most expensive aspect of spaceflight is lifting the payload through the dense lower atmosphere of the Earth. The booster or first stages of rockets are typically discarded after use. The innovation of SpaceX of recovering and reusing the booster stage has reduced the cost of access to space. ISRO too is aiming for reusability with its Next Generation Launch Vehicle, with a VTVL demonstration planned for years. Abyom has developed its own portable and modular rocket engine test facility, an engine control system, as well as a reliable spark torch igniter that have dual-uses in defence applications beyond rocketry for space.
Most of the technologies being developed by Abyom cater to defence capabilities in addition to space capabilities, and are designed to serve propulsion groups and academia. For example the engine control system can just as well be used on missiles as well. While rockets carry scientific instruments, missiles carry warheads or submunitions. Founder and CEO of Abyom, Jainul Abedin says, "With these technologies, we aim to cut per-launch costs significantly and introduce India’s first VTVL demonstrator. This is our leap toward affordable, reusable, and sustainable space access. At Abyom, we believe reusability is not just a choice - it is the future of space exploration. Our innovations are designed with both commercial scalability and defence readiness in mind, ensuring India is equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving global space economy."
