CEO Srinath Ravichandran confirmed that the company is targeting a year-end launch pending a final test at the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. Once necessary review with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is completed, the launch vehicle, already positioned on the launch pad, will be ready for takeoff. Ravichandran stressed the importance of getting it right the first time, given the complexity of the launch vehicle.
If successful, Agnikul will become the second private company in India to develop a small satellite launch vehicle, following in the footsteps of Skyroot Aerospace, which launched Vikram S in November 2022. Agnikul is a startup founded on the IIT-Madras campus.
Agnikul’s rocket, named Agnibaan, is significantly different from Vikram S. While Vikram S is a sounding rocket launched from guide rails, fire arrow Ravichandran said that it will fly vertically and follow a predetermined trajectory while performing precise maneuvers during the flight.
Sounding rockets are commonly used for upper atmospheric research and space exploration. On the other hand, Agnibaan SOrTeD (Suborbital Technological Demonstrator) is a single-stage launch vehicle that offers high adaptability. It can carry payloads of up to 300 kg into orbits approximately 700 km high, allowing plug-and-play configurations to suit the specific satellite being launched.
Ravichandran highlighted the propulsion system and shape-changing capabilities as key differentiators for Agnikul’s offering. The company’s launch vehicles can be customized to accommodate different payloads and satellite sizes, rather than following a fixed capacity approach. This flexibility is made possible by the use of liquid propellant, which can be reused and offers better safety than solid propellant.
Agnikul’s Agnilet engine is an unprecedented achievement in itself. It is the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine, completely designed and manufactured in India. The successful testing of the engine took place in 2021, marking a significant milestone for 3D printing technology in the country, which is primarily associated with medical applications such as hip implants.
The integration process of the launch vehicle with Agnikul’s private launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota was completed on August 15.
The company aims to meet the needs of customers involved in the development of small satellites intended for low Earth orbit. Payloads primarily include communications and imaging satellites.
Agnikul’s 3D Printing Rocket Factory has a state-of-the-art metal 3D printer from EOS, which has dimensions of 400 mm x 400 mm x 400 mm. Along with other advanced machinery, this facility enables end-to-end manufacturing of rocket engines under one roof.
