India's EtherealX Hits $80.5M Valuation to Build Fully Reusable Rockets
India's EtherealX reaches an $80.5M valuation following a $20.5M Series A. The startup is developing the Razor Crest Mk-1, a fully reusable rocket targeting a 2027 demo flight.
The global race for reusable space flight has a new heavyweight contender. EtherealX, an Indian space tech startup, recently saw its valuation jump 5.5x to $80.5 million after closing an oversubscribed $20.5 million Series A funding round. According to TechCrunch, the round was led by TDK Ventures and BIG Capital, with participation from Accel and Prosus.
EtherealX Reusable Rocket Roadmap and Razor Crest Mk-1
The Bengaluru-based company isn't just aiming for partial recovery; it's designing the Razor Crest Mk-1 to be fully reusable. While SpaceX's Falcon 9 focuses on returning the first-stage booster, EtherealX intends to return both the booster and the upper stage. This approach could significantly slash launch costs to a range of $350 to $2,000 per kilogram over time.
| Feature | Razor Crest Mk-1 Specs |
|---|---|
| Booster Engine | 1.2 MN Stallion |
| Upper Stage Engine | 80 kN Pegasus |
| Max Payload (Expendable) | 24.8 tonnes |
| Fully Reusable Payload | 8 tonnes |
| Target Demo Launch | Late 2027 |
Scaling Operations for a 2028 Commercial Debut
EtherealX is moving fast, with engine hot-fire tests scheduled for June–July 2026. To support this, the startup has secured a 150-acre manufacturing and testing campus in Andhra Pradesh. CEO Manu J. Nair confirmed that the company has already signed $130 million in launch MOUs with international partners like Japan's SpaceBD and Taiwan's TASA.
This content is AI-generated based on source articles. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur. We recommend verifying with the original source.
Related Articles
Investors focus on satellite chips and BCI as the China tech self-sufficiency 5-year plan approaches in March 2026, targeting next-gen tech champions.
Liftoff Mobile, backed by Blackstone and General Atlantic, has filed for its 2026 IPO. With $519M in revenue and $1.85B in debt, the ad-tech firm aims for a $400M raise.
Cybersecurity startup Depthfirst has raised $40 million in a Series A round led by Accel. Founded by veterans from DeepMind and Amazon, the company is building an AI-native defense platform.
SkyFi has raised $12.7M in Series A funding to expand its satellite imagery platform. Discover how this startup is making geospatial intelligence accessible via mobile apps.
Investors focus on satellite chips and BCI as the China tech self-sufficiency 5-year plan approaches in March 2026, targeting next-gen tech champions.
Liftoff Mobile, backed by Blackstone and General Atlantic, has filed for its 2026 IPO. With $519M in revenue and $1.85B in debt, the ad-tech firm aims for a $400M raise.
Cybersecurity startup Depthfirst has raised $40 million in a Series A round led by Accel. Founded by veterans from DeepMind and Amazon, the company is building an AI-native defense platform.
SkyFi has raised $12.7M in Series A funding to expand its satellite imagery platform. Discover how this startup is making geospatial intelligence accessible via mobile apps.