📷 Image Credits: Deccan Herald
AgniKul Cosmos, a Chennai-based space tech start-up, achieved a major milestone on May 30, 2024, by carrying out a successful sub-orbital launch of Agnibaan SoRTed (Suborbital Technological Demonstrator), India’s second privately-built rocket. The launch took place from their own launchpad within the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This launch marks several firsts in India’s space history, as Agnibaan SoRTed is the first rocket to be launched from a private launch pad, featuring the country’s first semi-cryogenic engine flight and the world’s first single-piece 3D printed engine, all designed and built indigenously.
The successful launch of Agnibaan SoRTed is expected to provide crucial flight data and ensure optimal system functioning for Agnikul’s two-stage orbital launch vehicle, Agnibaan. Standing at 18 meters tall, Agnibaan is tailored for launching small satellites and can carry payloads of up to 300 kg into a 700 km low Earth orbit. Agnikul Cosmos confirmed that all mission objectives of this controlled vertical ascent flight were met with nominal performance.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) extended their congratulations to Agnikul Cosmos for this significant achievement. ISRO noted the importance of this launch as the first-ever controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine realized through additive manufacturing. The successful launch garnered praise from various space enthusiasts and industry leaders, emphasizing the impact of such advancements on India’s growing private space industry. The launch success coincides with the introduction of the Indian Space Policy 2023 guidelines and new FDI regulations, further strengthening India’s position in the global space sector.
Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and Satya Chakravarthy, Agnikul Cosmos became the first Indian company to sign an agreement with ISRO under the IN-SPACe initiative. Their flagship launch vehicle, ‘Agnibaan’, boasts compatibility with the mobile launchpad ‘Dhanush’, offering launch flexibility regardless of location. Looking ahead, Agnikul Cosmos aims to conduct orbital missions by the end of the 2025 financial year and initiate regular flights starting from 2025. This successful launch signifies a significant step forward for India’s private space industry, setting the stage for future growth and innovation in the sector.
