In a landmark achievement on Thursday, Agnikul Cosmos, an innovative space start-up, successfully launched the world’s first rocket equipped with a single-piece 3D-printed engine from their proprietary launch pad, ‘Dhanush’, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The sub-orbital test flight of the Agnibaan rocket, featuring a semi-cryogenic engine, marks a significant milestone for India’s private space industry, being only the second such mission conducted by a non-governmental Indian entity apart from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). The Agnibaan Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) mission, which took place at 7:15 am, was Agnikul’s fifth attempt since March 22, with earlier launches halted due to technical issues.
Isro chairman S Somanath, present at the launch, praised the mission’s success. “This mission, with its numerous firsts including a 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine and advanced flight control systems, highlights the strength of indigenous design and innovation. It motivates Isro to support space start-ups and private entities, fostering a self-reliant and vibrant space ecosystem.” Agnikul Cosmos, initially incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, collaborates closely with the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) at the institute.
The Agnibaan rocket is a versatile two-stage launch vehicle, capable of carrying payloads up to 300 kg into orbits of approximately 700 km. Its semi-cryogenic engine uses a combination of liquid and gas propellants. The rocket’s ethernet-based avionics and proprietary autopilot software distinguish it as a pioneering innovation in India’s space sector.
Satyanarayanan R Chakravarthy, founding advisor of Agnikul Cosmos and head of the NCCRD at IIT Madras, expressed his pride in the achievement. “We are proud to present India’s first semi-cryogenic rocket engine, which is also the world’s most integrated single-shot 3D-printed piece. This achievement demonstrates our unparalleled ability to quickly assemble rockets.” Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, added, “This milestone is the result of thousands of hours of reviews and dedicated work by our team.”
The team at Agnikul consists of over 200 engineers, with guidance from 45 former Isro scientists. The company plans to conduct an orbital mission by the end of the 2025 financial year. Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), hailed the launch as a historic moment for India’s space sector. “The successful launch of the Agnibaan SOrTeD represents a significant milestone for private players contributing to India’s space sector,” Goenka told PTI.
Thursday’s launch advances India’s capabilities in launching small satellites, positioning the country as a potential future hub for such missions. According to IN-SPACe’s decadal vision, India’s space economy, currently valued at $8 billion, has the potential to expand to $44 billion by 2033. Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace was the first private Indian entity to launch a sub-orbital rocket, Vikram-S, in November 2022.
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