Astrophel Aerospace Develops Cryogenic Pump for Rocket Engines

Astrophel Aerospace has developed an indigenous cryogenic pump capable of operating at 25,000 RPM for use in its upcoming rocket engines. The company is testing and characterising the system at ISRO facilities, with plans to upgrade it into a turbopump for integration into its Astra C1 rocket engine by late 2026.

The cryo-pump, roughly the size of a one-litre bottle, can generate 100 to 150 horsepower. Astrophel intends to scale the system to produce 500 to 600 horsepower in turbopump form for larger launch vehicles. According to the company, at least eight to nine turbopumps are required during the first-stage liftoff of a small satellite launch vehicle.

Astrophel is also negotiating a memorandum of understanding with a United States-based partner and is considering additional international collaborations for export commercialisation of sub-components. The company noted potential applications in other industries, including oil and gas, which also handle cryogenic liquids.

“This milestone is a testament to how India can indigenously develop advanced propulsion technologies at a fraction of global costs,” said Suyash Bafna, Co-Founder of Astrophel Aerospace. “ISRO’s certification will validate not just our pump, but India’s ability to innovate world-class space hardware with global export opportunities,” he added.

The announcement comes at a time when India aims to expand its space economy from USD 8.4 billion in 2022 to USD 44 billion by 2033, with more than 250 startups currently active in the sector.

Founded in Pune, Astrophel Aerospace is a space technology startup focused on propulsion systems and launch vehicles. The company is adopting lean manufacturing practices to lower costs, enable rapid assembly, and allow scalable production.