Thrustworks Dynetics has successfully test-fired India's first Resonance Ignition System, becoming the first Indian organization to demonstrate this advanced propulsion architecture and positioning India among a very limited group of global propulsion programs exploring and validating resonance-based ignition technologies for liquid rocket engines.

Comparable propulsion research programs internationally have typically been supported by multi-million euro institutional funding and long-cycle government demonstrator contracts. Thrustworks' breakthrough has been achieved at early-stage capital scale, underscoring the growing depth of India's capital-efficient deep-tech engineering ecosystem.

Incubated at SINE - IIT Bombay, the milestone represents a structural advancement in indigenous rocket ignition subsystem capability.

A Significant Propulsion Architecture Development

Resonance-based ignition represents a departure from conventional liquid rocket engine start systems.

Unlike traditional ignition mechanisms that rely on heavy electrical spark systems or one-time-use pyrotechnic devices, resonance ignition:

• Utilizes precisely engineered combustion geometry
• Generates controlled acoustic shockwaves to initiate combustion
• Enables multiple restart cycles under controlled test conditions
• Reduces dependency on traditional spark-based igniters

Such architectures are widely regarded as technically demanding due to combustion instability risks, geometric precision requirements, and acoustic wave coupling challenges.

Strategic & Operational Significance

Restart Capability

Enables repeated ignition cycles using onboard propellants – a critical capability for orbital maneuvering systems and advanced propulsion concepts.

Propellant Flexibility

Designed to operate across a range of propellant combinations, including high-performance "green" propellants such as Oxygen and Methane.

Modular ANYA Platform

Integrated into Thrustworks' 3D-printed ANYA liquid rocket engine platform, enabling rapid prototyping and scalable manufacturing.

Dual-Use Applications

The architecture has potential relevance beyond launch vehicles, including:

• Satellite Reaction Control Systems (RCS)
• Rocket-Assisted Take-Off (RATO) systems
• Extended-burn propulsion systems
• Advanced tactical aerospace propulsion architectures

India vs Global Funding Context

Globally, resonance-based propulsion demonstrators have typically required:

• National space agency R&D backing
• Multi-million euro institutional funding
• Dedicated combustion research infrastructure
• Long validation cycles

Thrustworks' validation, achieved with ₹7 crore in seed funding, highlights:

• In-house ignition design and analysis software
• Capital-efficient deep-tech execution
• Accelerated development cycles
• Precision additive and subtractive manufacturing capability

The development contributes to strengthening India's propulsion subsystem autonomy – an area historically driven by heavily funded international programs.

Leadership Commentary

"Resonance Ignitor is a geometry-based system design analyzed using our in-house software, with a technology that enables a wide range of propellants to be converted into hypergolic combinations," said Kalyani Shinde, CTO, Thrustworks Dynetics.

"Where precision manufacturing meets controlled fire," added Vinith Shenoy, COO, Thrustworks Dynetics.

Ecosystem Engagement

Founded in 2023, Thrustworks Dynetics collaborates with key stakeholders including:

• ISRO
• IN-SPACe
• harat Forge
• Godrej Aerospace
• INOXCVA

The company is advancing further hot-fire validation campaigns and qualification milestones toward higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), with roadmap discussions underway for integrated engine testing and future flight-level validation.