Agnikul Cosmos

A Chennai rocket company founded in 2017 at IIT Madras. In 2024 it flew the world's first rocket with a single-piece 3D-printed engine, from India's first private launch pad.

Purpose

Agnikul is building Agnibaan, a small rocket for launching satellites. Its Agnilet engine is printed in one piece and burns liquid oxygen and kerosene, a semi-cryogenic mix. The company was founded in 2017 at the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development at IIT Madras, Chennai.

Timeline

• 25 November 2022: India's first private launch pad and mission control centre, built by Agnikul, opens inside Sriharikota; mission control sits about 4 km from the pad
• 30 May 2024: Agnibaan SOrTeD, a sub-orbital test rocket, lifts off at 7:15 am from Agnikul's pad, Dhanush

Significance

The SOrTeD flight was the world's first rocket flight with a single-piece 3D-printed engine. It was also India's first launch powered by a semi-cryogenic engine.

Sources

1. Agnikul Cosmos company summary — Agnikul Cosmos
2. Agnikul launches world's first rocket with fully 3D printed engine — Press Information Bureau
3. First private launchpad and mission control center — ISRO
4. Launch missions facilitated by ISRO — ISRO