Date: 24 Sep, 2025
In a sector where rocket propulsion has seen little innovation for decades, SpaceFields is reimagining how we power space and defence missions. By developing in-house technologies like aerospike engines and green propellants that deliver higher efficiency and lower environmental impact, the company is building propulsion systems that are both future-ready and aligned with India’s indigenization push. With patents filed and a strong technical team, SpaceFields is positioning itself to transform launch economics and defence capabilities in an industry hungry for breakthrough innovation.
About SpaceFields
Founded in 2021 by Apurwa Masook, Rounak Agrawal and Sudarshan Samal and incubated at IISc Bangalore, is developing next-generation solid rocket propulsion with applications in spaceflight and defence. The company recently tested India’s first aerospike rocket engine, a breakthrough technology that maintains efficiency across altitudes. With its proprietary propellant delivering 30–40% higher performance, SpaceFields enables greater payloads in orbit and enhanced range, speed, and efficiency in tactical systems.
Propulsion Breakthroughs with Aerospike Engines
Until now, rocket engines have relied on traditional bell-shaped nozzles, which lose efficiency at higher altitudes due to changing atmospheric pressure. SpaceFields’ aerospike engine overcomes this limitation by maintaining consistent efficiency across all altitudes. This means the same payload can be lifted into orbit with significantly less fuel, translating into lower launch costs and greater competitiveness for space missions. By enabling altitudecompensating propulsion, SpaceFields is pioneering a shift in how rockets are designed and optimized for both commercial and defence applications.
The Power of Green Propellants
At the heart of SpaceFields’ innovation is Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN)—a next-generation, eco-friendly energetic material poised to replace toxic propellants. ADN offers 25–30% higher energy per unit weight than conventional solid rocket fuels, enabling lighter and more compact launch vehicles with minimal payload penalties. Its smokeless and flashless properties make it particularly attractive for defence applications, as it enhances stealth while improving ballistic performance. By unlocking safer, denser, and higher-performing propellants, SpaceFields is setting the stage for lighter artillery systems, modern firearms, and advanced rocket propulsion.
Industry Landscape
India’s satellite launch market is set to grow from $720 Mn in 2022 to $3.5 Bn by 2033 (17% CAGR), with small satellites driving strong demand for advanced propulsion. Today, only two private players—Premier Explosives and Solar Industries, produce conventional solid propellants via tech transfers, leaving a clear whitespace for proprietary, high-efficiency, and greener solutions. Backed by strong government indigenization policies and rising defence R&D spend, SpaceFields is uniquely positioned to serve both the fast-growing space sector and India’s push for self-reliant defence capabilities.
Rational for Investment
Experienced and Technically Strong Founders
SpaceFields is led by a highly capable founding team with deep domain expertise. Building in the field of rocket propulsion requires strong technical rigor, and the three founders bring exactly that—the knowledge and capability to design, test, and scale advanced propulsion systems. Their complementary skill sets ensure the company can not only deliver cutting-edge products but also commercialize and scale them effectively.
Strategic Technological Advantage
India’s missile and space programs—spanning ICBMs, tactical and cruise missiles, PSLV, and GSLV—depend heavily on solid propulsion. With its product pipeline, including green propellants, proprietary insulation and sealing technologies, and aerospike engines, SpaceFields is well-positioned to serve both ISRO and DRDO requirements as well as global commercial opportunities. This positions the company at the heart of two strategic, fast-growing sectors: spaceflight and defence.
Early Validation and Momentum
Despite being an early-stage venture, SpaceFields has already demonstrated strong validation. The company has developed three solid rocket engines ready for testing at IISc and successfully unveiled India’s first aerospike rocket engine, cold-flow tested on campus. Multiple patents have been filed across propulsion innovations, and the company has secured LoIs and MoUs from leading aerospace and defence players, reflecting market confidence. These milestones signal the team’s ability to deliver, with a clear path toward scaling its technology and market presence
Conclusion
As the demand for more efficient, cost-effective, and indigenous propulsion solutions accelerates, SpaceFields is not just keeping pace with the industry—they are redefining it. With innovations like aerospike engines and green propellants, backed by multiple patents and early customer validation, the company is poised to transform how rockets and missiles are powered. Their technologies have the potential to lower launch costs, increase payload efficiency, and strengthen India’s defence capabilities, placing SpaceFields at the forefront of the country’s journey toward self-reliance in space and strategic defence.
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