DBT Bureau
Bengaluru, 30 May
Indian private space industry achieved a significant milestone when spacetech startup, Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched its first sub-orbital test vehicle powered by the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine.
Agnikul Cosmos had called off the launch four times earlier before going ahead with the 3D printed rocket engine.
The mission lasted around two minutes, and marked a major achievement for India in the development of indigenous space technology.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) congratulated the Chennai-based space start-up, terming the launch a major milestone.
“Congratulations Agnikul Cosmos for the successful launch of the Agnibaan SoRTed-01 mission from their launch pad. A major milestone, as the first-ever controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine realised through additive manufacturing,” ISRO said in social media post in X.
The rocket took off from India’s first private launchpad, ALP-01, located at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
“Elated at the successful launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD by @AgnikulCosmos! A historic moment for India’s space sector. Powered by world’s first single piece 3D printed semi-cryogenic engine, this achievement showcases brilliance of our young innovators,” Dr Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe said on X.
The mission featured a 6.2-meter-tall single-stage launch vehicle with an elliptical nose cone. It was equipped with advanced avionics architecture and autopilot software developed in-house. The Agnilet engine, the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine, powered the vehicle. The mission included a series of precise manoeuvres, including a pitch-over manoeuvre and wind biasing, before splashing down in the Bay of Bengal.
“This is the culmination of 1000s of hours of reviews and hard work by the team. 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,” said Srinath Ravichandran, Cofounder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos.
