Indian Startup Othisis Successfully Test-Fires 3D-Printed Cryogenic Engine
The Bengaluru-based firm leverages Selective Laser Melting to develop a methalox engine for future reusable launch vehicles.
Indian aerospace startup Othisis has successfully conducted a stationary test-fire of its first working prototype of a fully cryogenic rocket engine. The milestone marks a critical transition for the company as it pursues the development of reusable launch vehicles.
The engine is a 5 kN design that utilizes a combination of liquid oxygen (LOX) and methane, known as methalox, as its propellants. The prototype was manufactured using Selective Laser Melting (SLM), a high-precision 3D printing process that allows for the creation of complex internal geometries often impossible to achieve through traditional machining. This successful hot-fire validates the structural integrity and thermal management of the printed components under cryogenic conditions.
From Community to Company
Othisis represents a unique evolution in the Indian aerospace ecosystem. The company was founded by Syed Affan, who originally established the Rocketry India community in 2023. This initiative grew into one of the largest amateur rocketry communities in the country, providing a foundation of collaborative knowledge and passion. In 2024, this community-driven effort transitioned into a formal business structure, officially becoming a private limited company. Now based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the firm has shifted its primary focus toward advanced propulsion systems and the engineering requirements of reusable rocket technology.
The Strategic Shift to Methalox
The decision to utilize liquid methane and liquid oxygen aligns Othisis with a broader modern trend in the global space industry. Methalox is increasingly preferred over traditional kerosene-based propellants (Kerolox) because it burns cleaner and leaves almost no residue inside the engine. For a company targeting reusability, this is a decisive advantage; reduced soot accumulation significantly lowers the maintenance burden and shortens the turnaround time between flights for vertical take-off, vertical landing (VTVL) vehicles. Furthermore, methane is viewed as a strategic choice for long-term exploration, as it can theoretically be synthesized on other planetary bodies using carbon dioxide and water.
The Path to Orbit
With the successful stationary test completed, Othisis has proven that its 3D-printing workflow can produce flight-capable cryogenic hardware. The company's next steps involve refining the engine's performance and scaling its propulsion technology to support larger payloads. While the current prototype serves as a proof of concept, the long-term objective remains the creation of a fully reusable launch system that can lower the cost of access to space. Observers will be watching for further test iterations and the potential integration of these engines into a full-scale vehicle airframe.