Space Zone India restarts rocket engine mid-flight
By Abha Lohia ·
- Space Zone India is a Chennai aerospace company building home-grown hybrid rocket propulsion systems for research and launch use
- Its RRR-1 rocket, flown on October 10 near Chennai, shut its engine for three seconds and then reignited it in flight
- The company says restart ability could support reusable launch vehicles and plans to widen its commercial work after the test
What happened
- RRR-1 flew on October 10 under Mission RHUMI TWIN 2026.
- The engine ran about nine seconds first.
- It was shut for three seconds, then reignited.
- Powered flight totalled about 14 seconds.
- The launch took place off the coast near Chennai.
Why it matters
- Engine restart is key to reusable rockets.
- It shows indigenous hybrid propulsion progress.
- It may open commercial satellite-launch work.
The business
- Space Zone India is a Chennai aerospace firm.
- It develops hybrid rocket engines.
- It also offers training in rocket and drone technology.
In numbers
14 secondsPowered flight time · 2026
What happens next
- Expand into commercial launch work.
Words to know
- Hybrid rocket
- A rocket using a solid fuel with a liquid or gas oxidiser.
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