India’s space startups are pushing boundaries, and Hyderabad-based aerospace firm Skyroot Aerospace just lit up the skies with a groundbreaking engine test.
On National Science Day, Skyroot Aerospace unveiled Dhawan-III, a cryogenic rocket engine that could revolutionise affordable space travel.
Named after space pioneer Satish Dhawan, this engine runs on liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas, promising cleaner and more efficient launches. With a successful 145-second test fire, it marks a leap for homegrown innovation.
WHAT IS SKYROOT’S DHAWAN-III ENGINE?
This compact powerhouse delivers 2.3 kilonewtons of thrust at sea level and 2.8 kilonewtons in vacuum.
Fully 3D-printed from Inconel, a tough super alloy that handles extreme heat and pressure, it is designed for multiple restarts.
That means rockets can shut down and fire up again, essential for reusable vehicles like those from SpaceX.
Skyroot built it under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC (Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprise — Atal New India Challenge) initiative by NITI Aayog, supporting startups to boost research.
HOW DOES SKYROOT’S DHAWAN-III WORK?
It uses cryogenic fuels: super-cold liquid oxygen and natural gas. During the test on an in-house mobile stand, it burned steadily for over two minutes, showing stable combustion.
The flame glowed electric blue with perfect Mach diamonds, those shock wave patterns that signal efficient thrust. This methalox setup, which is a combination of liquid methane as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidiser, is greener than traditional propellants, cutting costs and pollution for satellite deployments.
WHY IS SKYROOT’S DHAWAN-III A GAME-CHANGER FOR INDIA?
Skyroot’s success puts India on the map for private space tech. With reusability, launches could drop to a fraction of current prices, opening doors for more satellites in orbit.
It aligns with the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)’s goals, but from a nimble startup. Imagine frequent missions for weather monitoring, communication, or even space tourism. This test proves Indian engineers can rival global giants.
Skyroot, founded by ex-Isro scientists, is fuelling dreams of a space-faring India. With this milestone, the stars feel closer.
