Agnikul Cosmos Successfully Launches Agnibaan SoRTed-01 Mission from Private Launchpad

Agnikul Cosmos achieves a significant milestone with the successful launch of the Agnibaan SoRTed-01 mission, marking India's first private launch from their launchpad at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.

On Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched its Agnibaan (Suborbital Tech Demonstrator) SoRTed-01 mission. The launch took place from Agnikul's private launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) in Sriharikota.

ISRO praised Agnikul Cosmos, highlighting the launch as a major milestone. The agency congratulated the team on X (formerly Twitter), noting the successful controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine, which was realized through additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing.

The engine test was powered by Agnikul's in-house designed data acquisition systems and flight computers. This achievement also demonstrated the capability of the entire avionics chain of the SoRTed vehicle to control its propulsion system effectively.

The Agnibaan rocket can carry payloads of up to 300 kg to orbits around 700 km high. It is designed for flexibility, capable of accessing both low and high inclination orbits. Additionally, the rocket is mobile and can be launched from more than 10 different launch ports worldwide. Driven by liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene engines across all its stages, the Agnibaan rocket can be customized based on the mission requirements, the satellite, and the launch port, determining the number of engines used in the first stage.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also extended his congratulations to Agnikul Cosmos, emphasizing the significance of the launch. He noted that it was the world's first flight with a single-piece 3D printed rocket engine and India's first flight with a semi-cryogenic engine. The vehicle was entirely designed and assembled at Agnikul's facilities within IIT Madras.

This achievement adds to India's impressive track record in space exploration. In 2023, India successfully landed Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon's South Pole and launched Aditya-L1, the country's first solar mission. These milestones have bolstered India's position in the global space economy and energized the private space sector.

Looking ahead, India has ambitious plans, including setting up the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. These goals reflect India's growing capabilities and aspirations in space exploration.