In a significant step for India’s private space sector, Surat-based startup Bharath Space Vehicle (BSV) is developing Agasthya-1, a small-lift rocket designed for rapid launch readiness within 24 hours.
Founded in 2024, the company is led by former ISRO scientists with a combined experience of over 70 years. The team aims to build a reliable and cost-effective launch solution for the growing small satellite market.
Agasthya-1 is a 28 m tall, two-stage expendable rocket powered by liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene (RP-1) engines. It is designed to carry up to 500 kg to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) and 800 kg to low-inclination Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at around 400 km altitude.
A key differentiator is its liquid fuel system. Unlike solid-fuel rockets such as ISRO’s SSLV, Agasthya-1 allows pre-launch testing of engines. The second stage can undergo a 10–40 second hot-fire test, while the first stage can be tested for 3–4 seconds before launch. Critical processes like stage separation and fairing jettison can also be validated on the ground, reducing mission risks.
This “fly-what-you-test” approach enables quicker launch turnaround, meeting emerging needs in defence and disaster-response scenarios.
The founding team includes Dr N. Vedachalam, former Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), who played a key role in developing cryogenic engines for the GSLV. Co-founder and CTO S.V. Sharma brings decades of experience from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), having worked on SLV-3, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, and GSLV Mk-III programmes. Bhavin Patel, COO and CFO, is an aerospace engineer from IIT Kanpur.
BSV has proposed a launch site near Kodinar in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district. Authorities have identified a potential location between Diu and Kodinar for a satellite launch facility, which could become India’s first west-coast spaceport, offering advantages for specific launch trajectories.
The company has signed a framework MoU with IN-SPACe and ISRO, gaining access to testing facilities, technical expertise, and infrastructure.
With India’s New Space Policy 2023 opening the sector to private players, BSV joins companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos in advancing frequent and affordable satellite launches.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
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