- The Chennai-headquartered space start-up Agnikul Cosmos Private Ltd. launched the world’s first rocket — Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) — with a single-piece 3D-printed engine from Sriharikota.
| India’s Private Space Sector India’s first privately developed rocket, from the company Skyroot, flew in 2022.Dhruva Space is developing small satellites while Bellatrix Aerospace specialises in propulsion systems for satellites.In 2020, India opened the space sector for private players.In February 2024, the FDI policy changed to allow foreign investment in the manufacture of components and systems or sub-systems for satellites up to 100% without approval.To build satellites, up to 74% of the investment is without approval; for investment in launch vehicles, an investment could go up to 49%. |
Agnibaan SOrTeD is India’s first launch from a private launchpad, called ‘Dhanush’, established by Agnikul.
- All other launchpads are operated by ISRO.
- It is also India’s first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not successfully flown a rocket with a so-called “semi-cryogenic” engine.
- It is also the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed (additive manufacturing) engine designed and built indigenously.
- According to the start-up, the key purpose of this mission is to serve as a test flight, to demonstrate in-house and homegrown technologies, gather crucial flight data and ensure optimal functioning of systems for Agnikul’s orbital launch vehicle, the ‘Agnibaan’.
- Agnikul Cosmos Private Ltd. is a IIT-Madras incubated start-up.
Dig Deeper: Read about the space regulator- the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and the Indian Space Association (ISpA).
