An Innovative two-stage orbital launch vehicle named Agnibaan powered by India’s first patented all-in-one piece of 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engines developed at IIT Madras was launched on May 30, 2024. This is a major milestone for the country’s space ecosystem, paving the way for more missions and doing India business enterprise. space center The launch vehicle is being developed by Agnikul, a space technology startup incubated at IIT Madras. Agnikul operates out of the National Center for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD), IIT Madras, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). NCCRD, the world’s largest combustion research center, focuses on automotive, thermal energy, aerospace, fire research, and microgravity combustion.
It collaborates with industry and R&D organizations in academic research and training. Agnikul has developed technologies to improve the reliability of space engines and accelerate their manufacturing, which facilitates the organization of space missions. The startup has successfully launched its first mission Agnibaan SORTED (Agnibaan Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) from India’s first private launch platform SDSC SHAR. The single-stage semi-cryogenic compression vehicle showcases the technological advances made by the startup. The startup benefited from training and technology support provided by NCCRD and Pravartak Technologies, another DST-funded technology innovation center.
The opening of the space market to the private sector by the government provided new opportunities and Agnikul started engine production at the IIT Madras Research Park known as the Agnikul Missile Factory – 01. Agnikul’s unique engine, made from high quality aerospace materials, reduces lead times and facilitates faster production compared to conventional engines. The startup also established India’s first private launch vehicle and mission control center in Sriharikota, where all planning, design and construction was done in-house. The company has developed autopilot software to ensure the vehicle stays on the mission path regardless of external factors. Agnibaan is India’s first launch vehicle that delivers propellants with an efficient and compact electric motor.
The self-developed high-speed motor driver produces high power at high frequency, and noise reduction is achieved through proper shielding and grounding. Technologies, including the world’s first one-piece 3D printed engine, make the launch at the same price 30-300kg payload. Agnibaa’s SORTED launch marked the world’s first flight with a single-piece proprietary rocket engine, India’s first flight with a semi-cryogenic engine, the first flight with an Ethernet-based avionics architecture and India’s first manned takeoff.