India’s Agnikul Cosmos Marks a New Era in Space Exploration with Historic Sub-Orbital Launch
Image Source: The Economic Times
In a groundbreaking improvement in India’s burgeoning space enterprise, Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos effectively launched its Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) from the beaches of Sriharikota on a pleasant Thursday morning. This event not only marks the second example of a private startup accomplishing this kind of launch in India but also highlights a series of splendid firsts in the field of space technology.
The Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket ascended into the sky precisely at 7:15 AM. It is an expression of human creativity, ingenuity, and the result of continued trials that were delayed many times before this last attempt. The project utilised a specially developed launchpad at Sriharikota, India’s only operational spaceport, demonstrating significant strides in private participation in space exploration.
The rocket is powered by the world’s first 3-D-printed semi-cryogenic engine, named Agnilet, built using modern techniques. Traditionally, rocket engine components are manufactured separately and assembled, but Agnilet’s engine parts are manufactured as a single piece and assembled. The single-piece construction through 3-D printing not only simplifies the assembly process but also promises a reduction in production costs and preparation time for launches. This milestone has the potential to revolutionise how rockets are built, making space access more affordable and swifter.
The Agnilet engine uses sub-cooled oxygen as fuel, distinguishing it from more conventional cryogenic engines that depend on gases liquefied at extremely low temperatures. This launch also demonstrated the potential to launch from a mobile launchpad, called Dhanush, that can operate from various locations, thus adding flexibility to launch operations.
The historic launch drew commendation from Dr. Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Center), who described it as a “historical moment for India’s space sector” and a testament to the “brilliance of our young innovators.” Similarly, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recognised the event as a major milestone for the nation’s space endeavours, particularly emphasising the first-ever controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine realised through additive manufacturing.
Professor Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy, founding advisor of Agnikul Cosmos and head of the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development at IIT Madras, expressed pleasure in presenting the world’s most integrated single-shot 3-D printed rocket engine. According to him, this development heralds a new era in rocket assembly speed and efficiency.
The mission was designed to reach an altitude of about 8 kilometers before descending into the ocean. Looking ahead, Agnikul Cosmos aims to undertake its first orbital launch by the end of the financial year, with the aim of regularly transporting payloads ranging from 30 kg to 300 kg into Earth’s orbit. This development positions Agnikul Cosmos alongside Skyroot Aerospace, another Indian private sector startup, which is also expected to perform its inaugural orbital launch later this year.
The successful launch is a result of thousands of hours of diligent work and review by the Agnikul team, supported by the regulatory framework and encouragement of IN-SPACe and ISRO. Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, reflected on the journey: “We are blessed to have had the opportunity and the full support of IN-SPACe and ISRO to design and build original space-worthy hardware in India.”
This achievement not only signifies a major leap for Agnikul Cosmos but also represents a significant step forward for India’s private sector in space exploration, setting the stage for more ambitious space missions and innovation in the coming years.
Sources and Links
- Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos- https://agnikul.in/#/
- Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnibaan_SOrTeD
- IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center)- https://www.isro.gov.in/Authorization.html#:~:text=IN%2DSPACe%20is%20an%20independent,to%20prioritise%20the%20launch%20manifest
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)- https://www.isro.gov.in/
- National Centre for Combustion Research and Development at IIT Madras- https://www.iitm.ac.in/research/national-research-centres/national-centre-for-combustion-research-and-development
- Skyroot Aerospace- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyroot_Aerospace
- Mobile launchpad, called Dhanush- https://x.com/AgnikulCosmos/status/1770872735553794558
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