The Lift-Off Moment: Omspace Successfully Test-Fires Gujarat's First Sounding Rocket at Dholera

A First for Gujarat’s Soil

History was made on March 14, 2026, as a single-stage sub-orbital sounding rocket, developed entirely by Ahmedabad-based Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd (OSRE), soared into the skies. Launched around the afternoon from a makeshift facility in Bavaliyari village near Dholera, this achievement marks Omspace as the first private entity to fly a rocket developed on Gujarat’s soil.

Following months of relentless hard work by the OSRE team, the rocket successfully reached its target altitude within seconds. It then executed a perfect landing using a dual-parachute recovery system, touching down safely along its predicted path. The historic event was witnessed by State Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia, alongside other senior officials.

Indigenous Innovation at its Best

The success of this launch is a powerful testament to the "Make in India" spirit, proving that Indian startups can design and test advanced space launch systems domestically. The mission successfully validated several critical, indigenously developed technologies, including:

Propulsion: A highly efficient sugar-based solid propellant motor.

3D-Printed Components: A custom 3D-printed torch igniter, showcasing advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Advanced Materials: The rocket's airframe was built using carbon fiber and advanced composite materials developed at the company's Ahmedabad laboratory. These lightweight composites improve rocket performance by reducing structural weight while maintaining high strength.

Autonomous Systems: Precision avionics, onboard control systems, and a fully autonomous recovery mechanism.

Adding to the mission's scientific value, the rocket carried a mini-satellite payload designed to collect weather-related atmospheric data. This inclusion demonstrated how sounding rockets can be utilized for critical research and environmental monitoring at different altitudes.

Ecosystem Synergy and Regulatory Support

A launch of this magnitude requires seamless coordination. The OSRE team camped at the site for three days prior to the launch to coordinate with government agencies, understand local conditions, and run final hardware and software checks.

The mission was conducted with the highest safety standards, receiving permissions and technical coordination from IN-SPACe, the Indian Coast Guard, Dholera Industrial City Development Ltd, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as well as the district collector and SP.

What’s Next?

This successful lift-off signals a new era for space startups in Ahmedabad and the broader Indian private space sector.

As Omspace founder and CEO Ravindra Raj noted, "The data gathered from today's flight will be integral to scaling up operations and moving towards commercial missions". The company is already in the process of developing its larger, orbital-class reusable launch vehicle, Infinity One, and intends to test another sounding rocket in the August-September timeframe this year.

The journey toward affordable, commercial space access is accelerating rapidly, and Omspace is proudly leading the charge from Gujarat.