Published Aug 17, 2023 | 5:41 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 17, 2023 | 5:41 PM
Agnibaan SOrTeD. (Twitter)
After Skyroot Aerospace, Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos is all set to carry out the sub-orbital test flight of its 3D-printed rocket Agnibaan SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator (SOrTeD) from its launchpad at Sriharikota.
The single-stage rocket powered by Agnilet semi-cryogenic engine was wheeled for integration with Agnikul’s launch pad at Sriharikota on Tuesday, 15 August, and carrying out mechanical and electrical interface checks.
Agnibaan SOrTeD is a single-stage launch vehicle driven by Agnikul’s patented Agnilet engine an entirely 3D-printed, single-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine, a company statement said.
“Agnikul plans to complete its first flight in the coming few weeks,” it said.
Agnibaan SOrTeD was unveiled on 15 August at Agnikul’s Mission Control Center (AMCC) at Sriharikota in the presence of officials from the Satish Dhawan Space Center Director A Rajarajan and officials from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center.
Unlike traditional sounding rockets that launch from guide rails, Agnibaan SOrTeD will lift off vertically and follow a predetermined trajectory while performing a precisely orchestrated set of manoeuvres during flight, it said.
“This suborbital mission serves as a validation of the success of Agnikul’s proprietary autopilot, navigation, and guidance algorithms. It also serves as a crucial trial for gauging the launchpad’s preparedness for more ambitious undertakings,” Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and chief executive officer of Agnikul Cosmos said in a statement.
Last November, Agnikul inaugurated India’s first private launchpad and mission control centre at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, which would serve as the base from which the start-up intends to execute its suborbital and orbital missions in the coming years.
Humbled to have had the opportunity to bring our Agnibaan SOrTeD vehicle to our Launchpad at SDSC-SHAR on Independence Day to commence integration checks. We thank @isro and @INSPACeIND for their continuous encouragement and support in getting us this far. (1/n) pic.twitter.com/LvcTgxP5XT
— AgniKul Cosmos (@AgnikulCosmos) August 17, 2023
“This vehicle standing on the launch pad is a testament to everyone’s hard work in the team,” said Moin SPM, co-founder and chief operating officer of Agnikul.
Established in 2017 by Ravichandran, Moin and Prof SR Chakravarthy, from IIT Madras, Agnikul’s primary objective is to democratise space exploration by making it both accessible and cost-effective.
Skyroot Aerospace became the first private company to carry out a sub-orbital flight in the country in November last year when the Vikram-S rocket took off from ISRO’s launch pad at Sriharikota and hit a peak altitude of 89.5 kilometres.
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