‘Space City’ taking shape at Routhusuramala village

■ A private aerospace company, Astrobase, is establishing India’s first 200-ton thrust cryogenic engine test facility in the state

■ This high-end infrastructure will support testing of an advanced 80-ton Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) LOX-LNG rocket engine

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious plan to build a world-class “Space City” is steadily moving from vision to reality, with state IT and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh highlighting significant progress in the project. In a post on the social media platform X, the minister said the initiative, once met with skepticism, is now taking concrete shape on the ground.

“Many doubted when we spoke about building a Space City. Today, that vision is becoming reality,” Lokesh stated, underscoring the state’s push to position itself at the forefront of India’s emerging private space ecosystem.

At the heart of this development is a major technological milestone: A private aerospace company, Astrobase, is establishing India’s first 200-ton thrust cryogenic engine test facility in the state. This high-end infrastructure will support testing of an advanced 80-ton Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) LOX-LNG rocket engine, considered among the most sophisticated propulsion technologies globally. Once operational, the facility is expected to significantly boost India’s capabilities in next-generation rocket engine development.

The Space City is being developed over approximately 2,600 acres near Routhusuramala village in Thottambedu mandal of Tirupati district. Its strategic location adds to its importance, just about 60 kilometres from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota) and roughly 40 kilometres from Tirupati Airport, making it an ideal hub for aerospace research, testing, and manufacturing.

Officials view this proximity to India’s premier spaceport as a major advantage, enabling seamless collaboration between public institutions and private players. The project is expected to attract investments in satellite technology, propulsion systems, and deep-tech innovation, while also creating high-skilled employment opportunities.

Lokesh emphasised that Andhra Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a destination for cutting-edge innovation. “The state is becoming an address for advanced technologies. The future is exciting,” he remarked, signalling confidence in the long-term impact of the initiative. With India opening up its space sector to private participation, Andhra Pradesh’s Space City could play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s commercial space ambitions, transforming the region into a key node in the global aerospace value chain.