Agnikul Cosmos To Launch Rocket 'Agnibaan' On Friday

Agnikul Cosmos will launch its first rocket ‘Agnibaan’ on Friday from its launchpad, Dhanush, at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Agnibaan SOrTeD is a sub-orbital technology demonstration that will fly and validate a single-stage rocket powered by Agnite, a 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine that runs on commercial aviation turbine fuel or kerosene, as well as medical-grade liquid oxygen.

The mission includes multiple firsts, including a launch from the country’s first commercial launchpad, a mission control room erected at Sriharikota spaceport, the usage of the country’s first semi-cryogenic engine powered rocket, and the first single piece 3D printed engine designed and built in-house.

“Unlike traditional sounding rockets that launch from guide rails, Agnibaan SOrTeD will lift off vertically and follow a predetermined trajectory while performing a precisely orchestrated set of manoeuvres during flight,” the company said on its website.

Agnibaan will be the second privately manufactured rocket, following Vikram-S, which was developed by Hyderabad-based firm Skyroot Aerospace Private and launched from Isro's launchpad in Sriharikota in 2022.

Agnikul Cosmos created Agnibaan, a three-stage rocket that stands 18 metre tall and has a diameter of 1.3 metre. It can carry up to 100 kilogrammes of payload in a 700-kilometre low earth orbit. The rocket’s first stage is powered by seven ‘Agnite’ engines, each of which generates 25kN of thrust at sea level. The combustion section is made entirely of 3D-printed parts. The rocket's second stage is powered by the same ‘Agnite’ engine, while the third stage is an optional baby stage that fits inside the payload fairing and has an envelope large enough to hold one or more small satellites.

According to the company, crucial sections of Agnibaan, like as engines, pumps, motor casings and package casings, are 3D printed at its Agnikul Rocket Factory-1 facility. The plant can create two rocket engines each week, allowing for the manufacturing of one launch vehicle each month.

The company intends to serve the burgeoning small satellite launch market and sees Agnibaan as a versatile launch vehicle for launching tiny satellites into low earth orbit. “The vehicle is compatible with the mobile launchpad which makes the launch location agnostic and, most importantly, it could be configured to fly with 4/5/6/7 (engines) which makes the launch cost the same across the spectrum of mass - 30kg to 300kg,” the company stated.