India's EtherealX: Building the World's First Fully Reusable Rockets to Make Space Travel Affordable
Ever wondered why sending things into space costs an arm and a leg? The simple answer: rockets are mostly one-time use. Imagine buying a new airplane for every flight! But a Bengaluru-based startup, EtherealX, is on a mission to change this, aiming to achieve something even space giants like SpaceX haven't fully cracked: truly fully reusable rockets.
Currently, most rockets, even those partially reusable like SpaceX's Falcon 9, only recover the booster (the bottom part). The upper stage, which carries the satellite into orbit, usually burns up or falls into the ocean. This means every launch is incredibly expensive, as you're essentially building a new rocket each time.
Founded in 2022, EtherealX is developing medium-lift rockets where both the booster and the upper stage return safely to Earth, ready for their next mission. This 'full reusability' is a game-changer, promising to slash launch costs and make space access far more efficient.
Behind this ambitious venture are three brilliant minds: Manu J Nair, Shubhayu Sardar, and Prashanth Sharma. Manu, with a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for the cosmos, met Shubhayu, a seasoned ISRO scientist, during his time at the Indian Space Research Organisation. Later, Manu connected with Prashanth, a self-taught prodigy in propulsion. Their shared frustration over the exorbitant costs of space launches, primarily due to non-reusable rockets, sparked the idea for EtherealX during a dinner conversation in Bengaluru.
So, how do they plan to bring back the entire rocket? Instead of relying on heavy, expensive heat shields to protect the upper stage from burning up during re-entry, EtherealX has innovated a unique engine design. This design cleverly redirects heat using their engine system, allowing the upper stage to slow down, survive the fiery re-entry, and land safely. Their flagship rocket, the 'Razor Crest Mk-1,' powered by Pegasus engines, is designed to carry significant payloads – up to 24.8 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit. As co-founder Manu J Nair puts it, "Think of it as an airplane. It does what it is supposed to and comes back to do the same the next time around."
The implications of EtherealX's technology are huge. Firstly, launching satellites will become dramatically cheaper, with projected costs ranging from $350 to $2000 per kilogram by 2027, when their Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (TDV) is expected to be operational. Secondly, it will reduce the global reliance on a single dominant launch provider, fostering a more competitive and accessible space market. Starting with just $15,000 of their own savings, EtherealX has since secured grants from Startup India and Elevate Karnataka, and recently raised a significant $5 million in a funding round led by YourNest, a deep-tech VC firm.
EtherealX isn't just building rockets; they're building a future where space is more accessible and affordable for everyone. Their journey from a shared dinner conversation to developing world-first technology is a testament to Indian innovation pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space.
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