Inside Abyom SpaceTech and Defence’s reusable rockets and launch facility
Hyderabad spacetech startup Abyom SpaceTech and Defence is creating reusable rockets in three different classes and a testing and launch facility open to other early-stage spacetech startups.
Growing up in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, Jainul Abedin dreamt about spaceflight. As he stepped into adulthood, he realised many others shared his dream, but all faced the same hurdle: expense.
"I wanted to open the space sector to everyone. First, I realised that if we can build reusable rockets, it solves the expense problem by a lot. The second challenge was to build rockets that have a payload capacity of 200 kg to 15 tonnes. Finally, I wanted to build a testing facility so my and other startups get more options to test rockets," Abedin tells YourStory.
At the age of 19, in 2020, he founded . Based in Hyderabad, the 15-member team has finished building the testing facility in the city, although the rocket launching facility is still in R&D.
The startup is supported by Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society, Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, and IIT Madras Incubation Cell.
Building varied classes of rockets and the space tech sector
Abyom is developing a family of three reusable launch vehicles—Reusable Sub-orbital Rocket (RSR), Small Reusable Launch Vehicle (SRLV), and Medium Reusable Launch Vehicle (MRLV)—designed to serve every major orbit with rapid turnaround and high reusability.
The RSR, a 200-400 kg payload capacity reusable sounding rocket for atmospheric research, microgravity experiments, and aerospace testing, is planned for launch in 2028.
The SRLV, capable of delivering 2.6 tonnes to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and 1 tonne to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), will support imagery, navigation satellites, constellations, and space station demand, with a launch target of 2029.
"The heavy-class MRLV, designed to lift 15 tonnes to LEO, 9 tonnes to SSO, and 2 tonnes to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), will enable cargo, crew, telecom, and defence missions, aiming for launch in 2031. Together, these vehicles offer launch on demand, 5-day turnaround, 30+ reuse cycles, and offer over 80% cost reduction per launch, aligning with green fuel and SDG goals," explains CEO Abedin.
The phased development approach allows Abyom to progressively validate technologies while building operational experience. Each vehicle class addresses specific market segments, creating a comprehensive launch service portfolio that can accommodate diverse customer requirements.
Additionally, Abyom is solving the infrastructure challenge by establishing its own plug-and-play rocket engine test facility in Hyderabad. This commercialised facility supports internal testing and provides other rocketry teams and startups with the capability to test components, including solid rocket motors. The facility addresses a critical gap in India's space infrastructure, where limited testing resources often constrain development timelines for emerging companies.
Furthermore, Abyom is developing technology, such as the control system module, with a long-term dual-use case, allowing for potential integration into missiles for the defence ecosystem.
The CEO says the spacetech sector in India is quite open and is growing rapidly. With time, more policies have been added to cater to the industry’s growth.
Competing in the market with startups like Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos and Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, Abedin says Abyom continues to separate itself owing to its commitment towards making various rockets while building a launch facility.
Abyom SpaceTech and Defence is part of YourStory’s Tech30 cohort—a selection of India’s most promising startups of 2025—unveiled at TechSparks Bengaluru.
Edited by Suman Singh