Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies has received regulatory approval on December 4, 2025, to establish India’s first private high-thrust rocket engine test facility in Andhra Pradesh, specializing in Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion systems. Founded in 2024 by CoinDCX co-founder Neeraj Khandelwal alongside former ISRO scientists Devakumar Thammisetty, Pawan Kumar, and Prashant M, the startup emerged from stealth in October 2025 with plans for an 80-tonne Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) engine, following a successful sub-scale hot-fire test in September 2025. Backed by $7-10 million in seed funding from BanyanCo at a ₹623 crore valuation, Astrobase aims for full-scale engine tests in 2026 and a reusable medium-lift orbital launch vehicle debut by 2029, bolstering India’s self-reliant cryogenic capabilities alongside ISRO’s efforts and easing global launch demands. This milestone underscores the supportive ecosystem for private innovation, positioning India as a rising force in commercial spaceflight.