Agnibaan SOrTeD 3D-printed Rocket Engine Launch: On May 30, 2024, Agnikul Cosmos, an IIT Madras-incubated startup, successfully launched the world’s first rocket with a fully 3D printed engine, named ‘Agnibaan – SOrTeD’. This groundbreaking achievement also marks India’s first semi-cryogenic engine to be completely designed and manufactured indigenously. The launch took place from India’s first privately developed launchpad, ‘Dhanush’, at Sriharikota.
Technological Innovation
The 3D printing technology used by Agnikul Cosmos represents a significant advancement in space technology. Srinath Ravichandran, Co-Founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, explained, “We used 3D printing to make our engines as a single piece of hardware. What’s usually done with thousands of joints and welds got reduced to a single hardware section, thereby reducing cost and lead time in making our rockets.” This innovative approach not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also enhances the reliability and efficiency of the rockets.
Proving Capabilities
“This flight proves almost all the complicated tech needed to make our orbital flights for our customers happen. So, we can now assure our customers that we can safely fly their payloads in our early flights itself,” Ravichandran told Financial Express Online in an exclusive conversation.
The successful launch of ‘Agnibaan – SOrTeD’ serves as a testament to Agnikul Cosmos’s ability to deliver on its promises and marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards commercial spaceflight.
Overcoming Challenges
Building a launch vehicle is a complex endeavour, and Agnikul Cosmos faced numerous challenges along the way. “Building a launch vehicle as a product is a very different challenge from creating a seamless launch operations process. This process took us some time to figure out and optimize,” Ravichandran noted. The launch involved over 15 teams from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR) working together in a precisely orchestrated manner. Through multiple rehearsals and attempts, the team was able to perfect the launch process.
Support from IN-SPACe and ISRO
The startup received substantial support from IN-SPACe and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which played a crucial role in the successful design and development of the original space-worthy hardware in India. This collaboration highlights the importance of government support in fostering innovation and development in the private space sector.
About Agnikul Cosmos
Agnikul Cosmos aims to make space accessible to everyone, with a vision of enabling launches from anywhere, anytime, affordably. The company is committed to developing launch vehicles that are both affordable and customizable according to customer needs.
About Agnibaan
The flagship launch vehicle, ‘Agnibaan’, is designed to be compatible with the mobile launchpad ‘Dhanush’, allowing for launch flexibility regardless of location. Agnibaan can accommodate payloads ranging from 30 kg to 300 kg, ensuring versatility across a wide range of mission requirements.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Agnikul Cosmos plans to fly an orbital mission towards the end of the financial year of 2025. The startup is working with customers on flights starting regularly from 2025. With its groundbreaking achievements and ambitious plans, Agnikul Cosmos is poised to play a significant role in the global space industry.
In conclusion, the successful launch of ‘Agnibaan – SOrTeD’ by Agnikul Cosmos represents a major milestone in the field of space technology. By leveraging 3D printing technology and receiving strong support from IN-SPACe and ISRO, the startup has demonstrated its ability to develop innovative, reliable, and cost-effective launch solutions. With its vision of making space accessible to all, Agnikul Cosmos is set to revolutionize the space industry and bring space within everyone’s reach.
