Historic Launch: Agnikul Cosmos 3D-Printed Rocket Soars
Agnikul Cosmos, a leading space start-up, achieved a groundbreaking feat on Thursday by launching the world’s first rocket featuring a single-piece 3D-printed engine from their own launch pad, ‘Dhanush’, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This sub-orbital test flight, featuring the indigenously designed Agnibaan rocket with a semi-cryogenic engine, is a landmark achievement for India’s private space sector. It marks only the second time an Indian entity other than the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has executed such a mission. The Agnibaan Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) mission, conducted at 7:15 am, was Agnikul’s fifth attempt since March 22, with previous attempts aborted due to technical challenges.
Isro chairman S Somanath, who attended the launch, lauded the mission’s success. “This achievement, with several firsts such as the 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine and advanced flight control systems, showcases the strength of indigenous design and innovation. It encourages Isro to further support space start-ups and private entities, fostering innovation and self-reliance in the space sector.” Agnikul Cosmos began as an incubated start-up at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and maintains a close relationship with the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD).
The Agnibaan rocket is a customizable two-stage launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 300 kg into orbits around 700 km. Its semi-cryogenic engine uses a combination of liquid and gas propellants. The rocket also features ethernet-based avionics and proprietary autopilot software, making it a unique innovation in India’s space technology landscape.
Satyanarayanan R Chakravarthy, founding advisor of Agnikul Cosmos and head of the NCCRD at IIT Madras, expressed his pride. “We are thrilled to introduce India’s first semi-cryogenic rocket engine, which is also the world’s most integrated single-shot 3D-printed component. This achievement highlights our unmatched capability to rapidly assemble rockets.” Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, added, “This milestone reflects the culmination of countless hours of rigorous work and dedication by our team.”
Agnikul’s team comprises over 200 engineers, supported by 45 former Isro scientists. The company aims to conduct an orbital mission by the end of the 2025 financial year. Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), described the launch as historic for India’s space sector. “The successful launch of the Agnibaan SOrTeD represents a significant milestone for private players in India’s expanding space sector,” Goenka told PTI.
This launch brings India closer to developing substantial capabilities for launching small satellites, potentially positioning the country as a future hub for such launches. India’s space economy, currently valued at $8 billion, has the potential to grow to $44 billion by 2033, according to a vision presented by IN-SPACe. Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace previously became the first private Indian entity to launch its sub-orbital rocket, Vikram-S, in November 2022.
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