EVEREST: India’s first privately built FFSC rocket engine

Why in News?

Bengaluru-based space company Astrobase on 7 August 2026 unveiled EVEREST, described as India’s first privately developed 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) LOX-Methane rocket engine.

The development places India among a small group of countries and commercial companies pursuing the highly complex FFSC rocket-engine architecture.

About EVEREST

EVEREST is an 800 kN-class rocket engine powered by liquid oxygen (LOX) and methane. Astrobase plans to use the engine as the propulsion system for its reusable launch vehicle.

The company is targeting the first flight of the reusable launch vehicle in December 2028, while the engine’s hot-fire testing campaign is expected to begin in the coming months.

What is Full-Flow Staged Combustion?

Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) is an advanced rocket-engine cycle in which both the fuel and oxidiser are completely gasified before entering the combustion chamber.

This architecture can enable:

• Higher combustion-chamber pressures.
• Better propellant efficiency.
• Higher overall engine performance.
• Reduced thermal stresses compared with some conventional engine architectures.

However, developing an FFSC engine is technically challenging because of its complex turbomachinery, high pressures and demanding thermal conditions.

Global Significance

Astrobase’s development places the company among a small number of commercial entities attempting to develop FFSC engines. SpaceX’s Raptor is currently the best-known FFSC engine to have successfully flown to space.

The achievement also highlights the growing capabilities of India’s private space sector, particularly in advanced propulsion technologies.

Importance for India’s Space Sector

India currently accounts for less than 2% of the global space economy. Indigenous development of high-thrust propulsion systems and reusable launch vehicles could help India expand its presence in the global satellite-launch market.

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