If you don’t succeed at first, you try again. And if you fail even after four attempts, you try for the fifth time. That’s exactly what Chennai-based space start-up AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited did on Thursday (30 May), when it finally launched its first rocket Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD).
Thursday’s launch of the Agnibaan rocket comes after the company aborted four earlier launch plans due to technical glitches. The first attempt to launch the rocket had been made on 22 March and was abandoned during countdown. The last attempt was made on 7 April and was called off less than a minute before lift-off.
Now, as the start-up celebrates its success, we take a closer look at why this was a milestone in space technology.
It’s a lift off!
At 7.15 am on Thursday, AgniKul Cosmos erupted in joy after successfully launching its first sub-orbital test vehicle powered by the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine. With this, AgniKul becomes India’s second private entity to do so. The first to achieve this feat was Skyroot Aerospace, which launched the
Vikram S
in November 2022.
Shortly after the launch, Agnikul Cosmos posted about its success, saying it was humbled.
Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO, AgniKul Cosmos, said, “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.”
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also congratulated AgniKul in a post, saying it is “a major milestone, as the first-ever controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine realised through additive manufacturing”.
The successful launch also received a shout-out from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “A remarkable feat which will make the entire nation proud! The successful launch of Agnibaan rocket powered by world’s first single-piece 3D printed semi-cryogenic engine is a momentous occasion for India’s space sector and a testament to the remarkable ingenuity of our Yuva Shakti. My best wishes to the @AgnikulCosmos team for their future endeavours,” he posted on X.
About Agnibaan and Agnilet
For those who are still wondering what the hoopla is all about, let us explain. The Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) rocket weighs 575 kg and is 6.2-metre long.
The company describes Agnibaan as a customisable, two-stage launch vehicle that can carry up to 300 kg of payload to orbits nearly 700 km in altitude. It said it could be compared to SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy that can carry 63,500 kg to low Earth orbit.
What makes the Agnibaan ever more special is its patented engine — the Agnilet, which is an entirely 3D-printed, single-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine. The space start-up has said that the Agnilet uses sub-cooled oxygen as fuel.
Speaking on the 3D-printed engine, Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO of AgniKul, had earlier told Indian Express: “3D printing is a sweet spot for launch vehicles. When you use older manufacturing techniques, there is a lot more complex hardware and manpower involved. With 3D printing, you can make hardware nearly as fast as you can make software. This is why we were able to make hundreds of iterations of the design so that we could finally reach a stage where we can 3D print an entire engine in one shot.”
A mission of many firsts
For space experts, today’s launch is historic as it is a series of many firsts. With Agnibaan, the country saw the launch of its first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch. It’s important to note here that ISRO, India’s space agency, has never flown a semi-cryogenic engine. It is developing a 2000 kN thrust semi-cryogenic engine and the first ignition trial was conducted successfully on 2 May. Hence, the Chennai-based start-up has achieved what no other Indian private firm has done.
Commenting on the same, space expert Girish Linganna told The Week: “Semi-cryogenic engines are often used in the initial stages of a rocket for their cost-effectiveness and simpler handling, whereas cryogenic engines are used in the later stages for their higher efficiency and greater power needed to place satellites into higher orbits or for deep space missions. Semi-cryogenic engine technology has not yet been demonstrated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in any of its rockets.”
Moreover, the mission saw the success of the Agnilet engine, which is the first single-piece 3D-printed engine. Moin SPM, co-founder of AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited had earlier told NDTV that if successful, the Agnilet could prove to be a game-changer.
“Single piece using 3D printing means that the entire part was made as one continuous piece using a 3D printer, rather than being assembled from multiple parts. 3D printing is a process where a machine creates objects layer by layer from a digital model, using materials like plastic or metal. This method can make the part stronger and more reliable,” Linganna added.
Besides this, Thursday’s launch had another first. The space vehicle was launched from India’s first private launchpad, Dhanush, at Sriharikota. This was also developed by Agnikul Cosmos.
Dr Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe responsible for coordinating with the private space sector praised Agnikul for their achievements, saying: “Elated at the successful launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD by Agnikul Cosmos! 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.”
This was also echoed by Lt Gen AK Bhatt (retired), Director General, Indian Space Association (IspA). In a report by The Hindu, he was quoted as saying: “What Agnikul has achieved today, is nothing short of a historical milestone, since India launched its maiden rocket in 1963 from Thumba launch station. Agnibaan SOrTeD has got many firsts in its strides with being India’s first launch from a private launchpad, the first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch and the world’s first single-piece 3D printed engine designed and built indigenously.”
With inputs from agencies
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After 4 attempts, Indian start-up successfully launches rocket: Why this is historic
