Indian startup launches country's second privately built rocket

INDIA'S Agnikul Cosmos launched its Agnibaan rocket for the first time on Thursday (30) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

It is powered by the only Indian rocket engine to use both gas and liquid fuel in the country's second flight of a privately built rocket.

The Agnibaan's first flight had been called off four times in the last two months because of technical issues. The most recent cancellation was Tuesday, when the launch was aborted five seconds before lift-off.

On Thursday, the customisable, two-stage launch vehicle designed to carry a payload of up to 300 kg (661 lb) into an orbit of about 700 kilometres altitude (435 miles) flew for two minutes to a maximum altitude, or apogee, of 8,076 metres before splashing down into the ocean.

"Humbled to announce the successful completion of our first flight - Mission 01 of Agnibaan SOrTeD - from our own and India's first and only private Launchpad within SDSC-SHAR at Sriharikota," Agnikul Cosmos said on X.

It said all the mission objectives of this controlled vertical ascent flight were met and performance was nominal.

"The vehicle was completely designed in-house and was powered by the world's first single piece 3D printed engine and also happens to be India's first flight with a semi-cryo engine," the start-up said.

Agnikul is looking at flying an orbital mission towards the end of the financial year of 2025.

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace was the first private Indian entity to launch its sub-orbital rocket Vikram-S in November 2022.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath said, "The success involving many firsts including 3D printed semi-cryogenic engine and flight control systems demonstrate the prowess of indigenous design and innovation. It motivates ISRO to support the Space startups and Non-governmental entities to create a vibrant space ecosystem in the country."

Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the space regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) said the successful launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD was a historic moment for India's space sector.

Agnikul Cosmos is a Chennai-headquartered space start-up founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and Satya Chakravarthy.

The Agnikul team consists of over 200 engineers and is associated with National Centre for Combustion Research and Development at IIT Madras. It is also guided by 45 former ISRO scientists. (Agencies)