After at least four launch cancellations, Indian space firm Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched its first sub-orbital test spacecraft on Thursday, propelled by the first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine in history.
In a mission of many firsts, Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) lifted off on Thursday at 7:15 a.m. Although it is the second launch by a private startup in India, this one makes use of a private launchpad that the business has established at Sriharikota, the nation’s sole spaceport that is now in use.
“Happy with Agnibaan SOrTeD’s great launch by @AgnikulCosmos! A momentous time in the Indian space industry. This accomplishment, which is powered by the first single-piece 3D printed semi-cryogenic engine in history, demonstrates the talent of our young inventors, according to Dr. Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe, who is in charge of liaising with the commercial space industry, on X.
Agnikul was commended by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in a post on X, which described it as “a major milestone, as the first-ever controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine realised through additive manufacturing.”
Engine components are usually made separately and assembled at a later time. Utilising the 3D-printed manufacturing technique should reduce the time and cost of vehicle assembly during launch. The firm wants to provide tiny satellites with reasonably priced launch services.
“We are pleased to introduce the world’s most integrated single-shot 3D printed component, as well as the first semi-cryo rocket engine made in India. According to Prof. Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy, chairman of the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development at IIT Madras and founding adviser to Agnikul Cosmos, “it signals the ability to rapidly assemble rockets that is unparalleled.”
The IIT Madras-incubated business created the launch vehicle, which also showcased India’s first semi-cryogenic engine. The engine, known as Agnilet, runs on oxygen that has been subcooled. The fuel for cryogenic engines, like the one in the upper stages of India’s largest launch vehicle, LVM3, is gases that have been liquefied at very low temperatures.
The launch vehicle is intended to take off from any place using its mobile launchpad, Dhanush. Despite the fact that this was a suborbital launch, the vehicle can carry payloads up to 300 kg.
The goal of the operation was to ascend to a height of almost eight kilometres before plunging into the ocean. By the end of the fiscal year, the business intends to carry out its first orbital launch, which will be capable of delivering satellites into an orbit around the planet. They want to offer a regular launch during the upcoming year. This year, Skyroot, the other private launch company, is also expected to attempt its first orbital launch. Skyroot completed its maiden sub-orbital flight in 2022.
“The team has worked incredibly hard for thousands of hours, and this is the result.” Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, stated, “We are fortunate to have had the chance and the full support of IN-SPACe and ISRO to design and build original space worthy hardware in India.”
-NSH Digidesk
