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.
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