Pathbreaking achievement! Madras IIT startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully launches SOrTeD
Thursday 30 May 2024 9:37 PM IST
SRIHARIKOTA: In a path-breaking achievement in India’s space mission, Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based private startup, has successfully launched a 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine rocket 'Agnibaan'.
The test took place at 7:15 am on Thursday from Agnikul's launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Center in Sriharikota. ISRO chief S Somanath declared the launch of Sub-Orbital Tech Demonstrator Mission-01 (SOrTeD) a complete success.
The launch was postponed four times earlier. After a steep flight of eight kilometres, the rocket landed in the Bay of Bengal. The satellite will be launched later this year.
Printed engine
- The world's first single piece 3D printed rocket engine
- Instead of assembling thousands of parts, the engine was printed as a whole
- India's first semi-cryogenic engine
- India's first private mobile launch pad – Dhanush
- Second launch of a private start-up in India.
Rocket
- Single engine (single stage).
- Length 6.2 meters
- Weight 575 kg
- 30 to 300 kg can be launched
- Engine name: Agnilet
Semicryogenic engine
- In cryogenics, the fuel is supercooled liquid oxygen (-183 degrees) and liquid hydrogen (-252.9 degrees).
- In semi-cryogenics, liquid hydrogen is replaced by kerosene
- Temperature change does not affect the liquid state of kerosene
- Safer than liquid hydrogen
Agnikul Cosmos
- Inception in 2017 at Madras IIT
- Founders Srinath Ravichandran, Moin S. P. M
- 250 employees (average age 23)
- Got an investment of 40 million dollars