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.