Space Startup Agnikul Launches India’s Second Privately Built Rocket

• 31 May 2024

On May 30th, 2024, the space startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched its Agnibaan rocket. This rocket is notable for being powered by the only Indian engine that uses both gas and liquid fuel.

Key Points

• Agnibaan is the country's second privately-built rocket.
• Agnibaan SOrTeD ((Suborbital Technological Demonstrator) is the first rocket to be launched from a private launch pad within the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.
• Agnibaan is a customisable, two-stage launch vehicle that can carry a payload of up to 300 kg (661 lb) into orbit of about 700 kilometres (435 miles).
• Agnibaan is the country’s first semi-cryogenic engine flight and the world’s first single-piece 3D printed engine, designed and built indigenously.
• The 18-metre tall rocket Agnibaan is designed for small satellites and can launch payloads of up to 300 kg into 700 km low earth orbit.
• Chennaoi based startup Agnikul Cosmos, was founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and Satya Chakravarthy. Startup is the first company in India to sign an agreement with ISRO under the IN-SPACe initiative.