Chennai, India – Agnikul Cosmos, a commercial space start-up based in Chennai, successfully tested its Agnibaan SOrTeD (Suborbital Tech Demonstrator) rocket. This historic launch, which took place at 7:15 a.m. today, used an engine that is still being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). ISRO Chairman S Somanath acknowledged the successful launch to NDTV, applauding the accomplishment. “Congratulations to @AgnikulCosmos on the successful launch of the Agnibaan SoRTed-01 mission from their launch pad.” “A significant milestone, as the first controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine achieved through additive manufacturing,” ISRO wrote on X.
Satya R Chakravarty, a professor at IIT Madras and Agnikul’s mentor, confirmed the successful launch from Sriharikota. Agnikul Cosmos expressed their satisfaction in a statement, pointing out that this was India’s first private launch from their own launch pad at the SDSC-SHAR facility in Sriharikota. “Humbled to announce the successful completion of our first flight – Mission 01 of Agnibaan SOrTeD – from our own and India’s first and only private launchpad under SDSC-SHAR in Sriharikota. This controlled vertical ascent flight met all of its mission goals, with nominal performance. The vehicle was totally created in-house and powered by the world’s first single-piece 3D printed engine, as well as India’s first flight using a semi-cryogenic engine,” said Agnikul.
Acknowledging their partners, Agnikul added, “Our greatest thanks to @INSPACeIND, @isro, @iitmadras, and our incredibly committed team in helping us prove that a private player can design and fly original space tech hardware in India. #madeInIndiaForTheWorld.” This success follows four previous launch attempts thwarted by technical issues. Demonstrating resilience, the young team from Agnikul, founded in 2017 by two aerospace engineers, finally saw their efforts come to fruition. The 575 kg, 6.2-meter long Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket lifted off from Sriharikota, plunging into the Bay of Bengal.
The Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket is powered by a semi-cryogenic engine using aviation turbine fuel (kerosene) and medical-grade liquid oxygen. Co-founder Moin SPM noted that ISRO has yet to fly a semi-cryogenic engine, making this achievement particularly significant. ISRO’s own semi-cryogenic engine, with a 2000 kN thrust, saw its first successful ignition trial on May 2. Dr. Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), highlighted the innovation. “Agnikul has demonstrated the first semi-cryogenic and 3D printed engine by the Indian private sector. This bold innovation could be a significant differentiator when commercial launches start by India’s start-ups.”
Srinath Ravichandran, another co-founder of Agnikul, emphasized the launch’s importance as India’s first from a private launchpad, featuring the world’s first single-piece 3D printed engine. ISRO tested its first-ever 3D printed engine in ground tests on May 9. Ahead of the launch, Agnikul described the Agnibaan SOrTeD as a single-stage launch vehicle driven by their patented Agnilet engine—a fully 3D-printed, single-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine. The mission validated critical technology for future orbital flights.
Explaining the significance of their 3D printed engine, Moin told NDTV that it simplifies quality testing and uses readily available, non-corrosive fuels, enabling flexible launch locations. In a pioneering move, Agnikul received approval to build a dedicated launchpad on Sriharikota island, complete with a control room. This aligns with ISRO’s efforts to support Indian space companies.
“This will be the first controlled flight of a rocket by a private company, and all precautions are being taken to ensure success. If necessary, the self-destruct mechanism provided by ISRO can be activated,” Moin said before the launch. Following in the footsteps of Skyroot Aerospace, which launched a solid-fuel rocket in 2022, Agnikul aims to offer launch-on-demand services for small satellites. Their goal is to build customizable and transportable launch vehicles for low Earth orbits Agnikul has already secured $40 million in investments and employs a young team of 250, with an average age of 23. “Our team is fired up to innovate,” Moin said, highlighting India’s potential as a hub for small satellite launches. As global companies increasingly opt for satellite constellations in low Earth orbits, Agnikul’s innovative approach and successful test flights position them as a significant player in the burgeoning private space industry.
