Agnikul Cosmos, an aerospace startup primarily based in Chennai, is ready to conduct a check flight of the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine for his or her launch car, Agnibaan, by the top of 2023. This check flight will function a technological demonstrator for Agnikul’s deliberate orbital launch, which is predicted to be the primary industrial launch in 2024.
The Agnibaan launch car is a extremely customizable, single-stage rocket able to carrying as much as 300 kg of payload to orbits round 700 km above the bottom, particularly low Earth orbits. It follows a plug-and-play configuration, adapting to the dimensions of the satellite tv for pc being launched.
One of many key distinctions between Agnibaan and different rockets, such because the Vikram S launched by Skyroot Aerospace, is that Agnibaan lifts off vertically and follows a predetermined trajectory, executing exactly orchestrated maneuvers throughout flight. This units it aside from sounding rockets launched from information rails.
Agnikul’s rocket makes use of liquid propellants, that are reusable and thought of safer in comparison with stable propellants. The corporate provides customizable sizes of launch autos, permitting them to configure the car for a particular payload or satellite tv for pc dimension.
The Agnilet engine, developed by Agnikul, is the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine. It was designed and manufactured solely in India and efficiently test-fired in early 2021. This achievement marked a major milestone for 3D printing expertise in India, which has historically been reserved for medical implants.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched initiatives to privatise and entice overseas funding into the house sector, with the purpose of accelerating India’s share within the international launch market. The federal government goals to raise India’s share from the present 2% to $40 billion by 2040.
Agnikul Cosmos operates India’s first personal launchpad and mission management middle, positioned on the Satish Dhawan Area Centre in Sriharikota. The mixing strategy of the launch car with the corporate’s personal launchpad was accomplished on August 15, 2023 .
If the check flight of Agnikul’s 3D-printed engine is profitable, the startup will turn out to be India’s second personal firm to develop a small satellite tv for pc launch car, following Skyroot Aerospace .
Agnikul Cosmos has acquired extra funding of $26.7 million forward of its inaugural rocket launch. The funding shall be used to arrange for industrial launches and set up a launch platform with pricing impartial of payload mass. The corporate goals to considerably undercut opponents when it comes to cost-effectiveness.
