Agnikul Cosmos Successfully Launches Maiden Rocket with World’s First 3D Printed Engine

Agnikul Cosmos Successfully Launches Maiden Rocket with World's First 3D Printed Engine/X@AgnikulCosmus

Dil Bar Irshad | May 30, 2024 | 02:34 PM IST | Breaking News, India, Technology | Follow on Google News

Agnikul Cosmos Successfully Launches Maiden Rocket with World’s First 3D Printed Engine

Agnikul Cosmos Successfully Launches Maiden Rocket with World’s First 3D Printed Engine

Key Highlights:

1. Agnikul Cosmos launches its first rocket, powered by the world’s first 3D printed engine.
2. The successful launch from India’s only private launchpad marks a significant milestone.
3. The rocket, Agnibaan SOrTeD, features a semi-cryogenic liquid engine designed and built in-house.

Chennai-based space technology startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully test-launched their maiden rocket, Agnibaan SOrTeD, from India’s first and only private launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch took place at 7:15 am, marking a historic achievement in the Indian private space sector.

Agnibaan SOrTeD, powered by the world’s first 3D printed engine, Agnilet, showcases cutting-edge innovation, having been entirely designed and built in India. The engine uses commercially available aviation turbine fuel kerosene and liquid oxygen. The startup, incubated at IIT-Madras in 2017, stated that Agnibaan SOrTeD is designed for a vertical liftoff and follows a predetermined trajectory with precise flight maneuvers.

The successful launch follows four previous attempts, including a last-minute cancellation on Tuesday. Agnikul Cosmos expressed their gratitude to IN-SPACe, ISRO, and IIT Madras for their support in proving that private players can design and fly original space tech hardware in India.

Pawan K Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, hailed the launch as a historic moment for India’s space sector. ISRO also congratulated Agnikul Cosmos, highlighting the milestone as the first controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine realized through additive manufacturing. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar extended his congratulations, noting the significance of the 3D printed engine and the in-house design and assembly of the vehicle.

Agnikul Cosmos, founded by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and IIT Madras professor SR Chakravarthy, aims to make space accessible and affordable. The startup has signed an agreement with ISRO and successfully raised $11 million in a Series A funding round in 2021. In 2022, Agnikul inaugurated its launchpad and mission control room in Sriharikota and received a Flight Termination System from ISRO.

The customisable two-stage Agnibaan rocket is capable of carrying up to 300 kg to orbits around 700 km above Earth and can access both low and high inclination orbits. Agnikul’s launchpad facility, inaugurated by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, marks a significant step in opening the Indian space sector to private players, supporting liquid stage-controlled launches and flight safety parameters monitored by ISRO.

Agnikul’s successful launch follows the pioneering efforts of Skyroot Aerospace, which launched India’s first privately developed rocket, Vikram-S, in 2002.

(Inputs from ANI)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.