'Agnikul' Set To Launch Inaugural Space Flight With World's First 3-D Printed Engine

In a historic move, Agnikul Cosmos is set to launch its inaugural space flight with the world's first 3-D printed engine. Agnikul Cosmos is an aerospace startup based in Chennai that specializes in satellite launch vehicle development.

Agnikul Satellite Startup with 3D Printed Engine [Credit-Zee Business]

According to a report by the Economic Times, the upcoming mission serves as a technological demonstrator and emulates Agnikul's planned orbital launch. According to the startup sources, the first commercial launch is anticipated in 2024- but on a smaller scale. 

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Agnikul Cosmos's Historic Move-in Satellite Launch Sector:

According to Agnikul's Chief Executive Srinath Ravichandran, "

We are looking to launch by the end of the year. One test is pending, which will be conducted on our campus at IIT-Madras. Once the final reviews with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) are complete, we are good to go as the launch vehicle is already at the launch pad"

 

Agnikul Chief Executive Srinath Ravichandran [Credit- The Hindu]

Mr. Ravichandran added that this is not a sounding rocket but is a complex machine, so we want to get it right in the first attempt.

Space tech analysts say that if the Angikul Cosmos mission proves successful, the startup will become India's second private company to develop a small satellite launch vehicle. The first is the Skyroot Aerospace which launched its Vikram S in November 2022. Agnikul Cosmos is incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras campus.

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Advantages of Agnikul Cosmos Startup:

Mr. Ravichandran highlighted a key-distinction between Agnikul's rocket, Agnibaan, and the Vikram S. The Vikram S is a sounding rocket launched from guide rails while Agnibaan would lift off vertically, following a predetermined trajectory and executing precisely orchestrated manoeuvers during flight.

Rocket Vikramas S [Credit-You Tube]

He highlighted Agnibaan's specification that it is SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator [SOrTeD] and is a highly customizable, single-stage launch vehicle. It can carry up to 300kg payload to orbits around 700km above the ground.

It will basically serve satellites in the low Earth Orbit. Anirban would follow a plug-and-play configuration, adapting to the size of the satellite taken to space.

One of the biggest advantages of the Agnikul Cosmos is the propellant system and the resizing of their launch vehicle. The Agnikul Startup provides customizable sizes of launch vehicles that can be configured for a particular payload size or satellite size. In Agnikul's rocket, liquid propellants are reusable and safer compared to solid propellants.

Agnikul's patented Agnilet engine stands as the world's first single-piece 3D-printed engine that is designed and manufactured entirely in the country under Made in India. It was successfully test-fired in 2021, considered an achievement and a milestone for 3D printing technology in India, which was earlier reserved for medical implants.

Agnikul Satellite Startup-IIT Madras [Credit-DNA India]

Agnikul Cosmos satellite vehicle startup looks for a customer base encompassing entities, building small satellites, and aiming for a low Earth orbit. Its payloads will mainly consist of communication and imaging satellites.

Agnikul's 3D printing Rocket Factory houses a metal 3D printer from EOS, along with other machine facilities and end-to-end rocket engine manufacturing within a single facility.

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