Key Points about Agnikul Cosmos Launch
In a major milestone for India's space industry, Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched "Agnibaan - SOrTeD," the first rocket with a fully 3D-printed engine. The launch happened at Sriharikota from "Dhanush," India's first privately-built launchpad, also created by Agnikul.
1. Company and Location:
- Agnikul Cosmos Private Ltd., a space start-up headquartered in Chennai.
2. Rocket Launch:
- Launched the world's first rocket with a single-piece 3D-printed engine.
- Rocket name: Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD).
- Launch site: Sriharikota.
- Time: 7:15 a.m. on Thursday.
3. Significance:
- India’s first launch from a private launchpad, called ‘Dhanush’, established by Agnikul.
- India’s first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch.
- World’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine designed and built indigenously.
4. Mission Purpose:
- Serve as a test flight.
- Demonstrate in-house and homegrown technologies.
- Gather crucial flight data.
- Ensure optimal functioning of systems for Agnikul’s orbital launch vehicle, ‘Agnibaan’.
- The start-up, incubated at IIT-Madras, initially planned the launch for April 7.
- The launch was postponed 129 seconds before lift-off.
