Tamil Nadu Makes History with India’s Second Privately Developed Rocket

Tamil Nadu is set to witness a historic event as one of its space startups, Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, prepares to launch its first rocket, Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This launch marks several significant milestones in India’s space exploration journey.

India’s First Private Launchpad

• Agnibaan SOrTeD will mark India’s first-ever launch from a private launchpad, signifying a pivotal moment in the country’s space industry.

Semi-Cryogenic Engine Power

• This launch will also be India’s first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch, showcasing advancements in propulsion technology.

World’s First Single Piece 3D Printed Engine

• Agnikul Cosmos achieves another feat with the world’s first single piece 3D printed engine, demonstrating indigenous innovation and engineering prowess.

Founding and Collaboration

Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited, founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM, and Satya Chakravarthy, became the first company in India to collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the IN-SPACe initiative. This collaboration, initiated in December 2020, provided Agnikul Cosmos access to ISRO’s expertise and facilities, facilitating the development of Agnibaan.

Previous Milestones

• India’s journey into privately-developed rockets commenced with the launch of Vikram-S in 2022, developed by Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited. Vikram-S achieved a peak altitude of 89.5 kilometers in its mission titled Prarambh, furthering India’s aspirations in the private space sector.